VIENNA, Austria—On the evening of Jan. 23, 2026, the Shen Yun Touring Company presented its second performance of the season in Vienna at the Wiener Stadthalle. Through classical Chinese dance and live music, Shen Yun brought the essence of traditional Chinese culture to life, highlighting time-honored virtues that resonated deeply with Western audiences. As the performance concluded, the audience responded with prolonged applause, and the artists returned to the stage twice for curtain calls.
Among those in attendance were Prince Gundakar of Liechtenstein (Gundakar Prinz von Liechtenstein) and Princess Marie of Liechtenstein (Marie Prinzessin von Liechtenstein). Both spoke warmly of the performance and expressed particular admiration for Shen Yun’s mission to revive traditional culture and values.
As the curtain rose and a magnificent celestial world unfolded on stage, Princess Marie said she immediately felt a sense of amazement. “I was truly astonished,” she recalled. “I was thrilled by the beauty and the depth of the entire performance.”
Prince Gundakar echoed her enthusiasm, describing Shen Yun as “absolutely fantastic,” and noted that the long history and depth of Chinese civilization left a strong and lasting impression on him.
For Princess Marie, the spiritual meaning conveyed through the music was especially touching. She pointed to a song performed by the soprano, saying, “I really liked the lyrics sung by the soprano. They spoke about God—the Creator—as truly being the center of all life.” Reflecting further, she added, “When everything seems to be lost, when people lose their faith, one should think about something higher. That’s how I understood it.”
She also highlighted the Mongolian dance for its strength and vitality. “That Mongolian dance was very powerful,” she said. “You really feel how proud the people are of who they are. And it is also very beautiful. These ethnic dances are truly something very special.”
Born into the French royal family, Princess Marie was known before her marriage as Princess of Orléans and is now the Princess of Liechtenstein. In her view, European traditional culture and the traditional Chinese culture presented by Shen Yun share many similarities—whether in artistic expression, cultural customs, or underlying values.
“There are many connections within tradition,” she said. “For example, history and the transmission of music, dance, and folklore—this is also very important. Many European traditions can align with the traditions of this country.”
Prince Gundakar, a member of the Liechtenstein royal family—one of Europe’s oldest and most established royal houses—is primarily involved in managing the family’s assets and real estate. Princess Marie, meanwhile, focuses much of her work on humanitarian, educational, and cultural initiatives.
Both agreed that Shen Yun carries profound significance for contemporary society. Prince Gundakar stated, “I believe this is extremely important. The connection between the divine and humanity is conveyed with extraordinary beauty in these dance pieces. This is truly the central message of these works—to express beauty, transcendence, and everything that comes from the divine. It left a deep and lasting impression on me.”
Princess Marie added, “Traditional values are also very important in today’s era, because they are gradually being lost. They are expressed not only through language or words, but also through movement and a kind of longing. This is very important for people.”
“I liked it very much,” he said. “Chinese music is completely different from European music, yet the two work together extremely well. It is an entirely different kind of music, and that is precisely what makes it beautiful. Every culture has its own music—nothing is all the same.”
Through its pure and uplifting artistic expression, Shen Yun left Princess Marie with an enduring impression. “The beauty I saw tonight has enriched me deeply,” she said. “I will think of this beauty often, even when there are difficulties everywhere. This feeling—I will keep it in my heart.”
