STRASBOURG, France—After hearing their friends talk about their experience seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts last year, the Behr family decided to go see the performance at the Zénith de Strasbourg on Feb. 2. Both the parents, Jean-Paul and Fanny, and their 16-year-old daughter Émilie particularly enjoyed learning more about traditional Chinese culture.
“It was very interesting,” said Dr. Behr, a physician. “You can see that it’s deeply rooted in culture. That’s what immediately strikes you.”
“I would like to learn about Chinese culture,” said Ms. Behr. The dancers’ costumes made a big impression on the accountant. “It’s very impressive.”
“It was interesting to learn a little about the culture, because we don’t know much about it,” said Émilie, a junior in high school. “It opens up new horizons, new areas of interest, for example. It’s really very interesting to learn more.”
“It was really beautiful to see,” she added.
The teen was particularly moved by a scene depicting modern China and the persecution of Falun Gong. “It really made an impression on me. It’s the most striking scene in my opinion,” she said.
Dr. Behr was familiar with this aspect of modern China.
“It’s well known,” he said. “I think it’s great that this has been done, to try to highlight issues and raise awareness.”
The values expressed in the show resonated with him.
‘Exceptional’ Dancers
Among the audience for the same performance was Nicolas Fazi, an administrator at the Strasbourg University Rectorate.“I thought it was magnificent. The sets are sumptuous. The dancers are magnificent,” he exclaimed. “Honestly, I’ve never seen such a beautiful performance.”
He said he enjoyed the variety of the performance, which featured not only classical Chinese dance, but also an orchestra, singers, and soloists.
“It’s wonderful to see the singers, the artists, and the sets,” Mr. Fazi said.
“It’s very impressive to see how they blend into the scenery and how they stand out from it. It’s truly amazing. I'd never seen anything like it before, so I really enjoyed it,” Mr. Fazi said.
As for the dancers, he found their artistic level “incredible, exceptional. A very, very high level. It’s magnificent.”
“It’s very different from what we see here in traditional shows. It’s not the same style at all, and it’s very interesting to see another culture and discover this,” he said.
“I think the performance conveys beautiful values,” Mr. Fazi also remarked, finding it important to see kindness in the different scenes, a value that resonates with him. “And I think it’s a very, very beautiful message.”
Without hesitation, Mr Fazi said he would recommend the performance “100 percent, of course.” He is already planning to come back to see Shen Yun next year.
“It’s an experience to be had. Go and discover it. And it’s beautiful to discover another culture and see what it has to offer and propose, to enrich yourself personally and share it with others.”
