MILAN, Italy—On the afternoon of Jan. 25, Shen Yun New York Company held its fourteenth and final performance of the year in Milan at the Teatro degli Arcimboldi. The show concluded with long and enthusiastic applause, bringing a perfect end to this season in Milan.
Some audience members praised that the show not only provided a spectacular audio-visual experience, but also inspired people to deeply reflect on contemporary society and the value of life. Others were deeply moved by the songs about the Creator and salvation in the program. Some loved the “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” values upheld by the Shen Yun artists, believing that these principles are extremely valuable to society as they help guide people to become better humans.
Mr. Furciniti was deeply captivated by the show, “I really love Chinese culture. So I found the performance very moving. You are immersed in history, in divinely inspired culture, and want to understand it more deeply.”
“It was a magnificent and captivating performance. We greatly appreciated its profound inner cultural meanings. The colors were vibrant, the orchestra and the entire stage presentation were impressive. It was a wonderful experience,” Mr. Marco Cillis, a marketing director at a century-old bank in Italy, praised after watching Shen Yun.
Mr. Cillis remarked, “You could feel their dedication to their work and their attention to detail. They poured immense passion into it, were meticulous about every detail, and very responsible.” He continued, “It is absolutely a cultural exchange. In today’s world, this kind of exchange is crucial. I don’t want to sound cliché, but there’s no doubt that, in my opinion, cultural exchange is one of the best things we have… Sometimes, it’s these exchanges that truly inspire us to reflect; they touch somewhere deep in people’s hearts.”
He said, “In my view, they (the elements presented by Shen Yun) are a wonderful opportunity to elevate ourselves and integrate different approaches—whether spiritual, artistic, or cultural—into our lives. Our lives are ultimately made up of our relationships with others, and therefore, the mutual influence of cultures follows.”
Shen Yun has toured over 200 cities across five continents during the last 20 years, but it has yet to be performed in China. Mr. Cillis stated, “What strikes me the most is that such a performance cannot be replicated in China. Especially because it showcases so much of the tradition, as well as many very personalized aspects, demonstrating the unique culture. I didn’t expect that this wouldn’t be accepted in their country at present.”
Finally, Mr. Cillis expressed his hope that Shen Yun would have the opportunity to return to China to perform in the future, saying, “I hope they continue to do such excellent work; their work is truly superb, that’s obvious.”
Journalist and content writer Riccardo I. commented after watching the show, “I felt like I was in a dream because the rhythm and songs in the performance reached my heart and deeply moved me. They were so ethereal and pure, bringing me inner peace.”
He said, “I greatly appreciate everything they show related to this traditional culture.”
“These artists are of an exceptionally high standard!” said Riccardo I. “Especially the female dancers; they are like flying celestial beings. So when I saw their graceful figures swaying in long sleeves on stage, I was reminded of the flying celestial beings in murals.”
He perceived “goodness” in the soprano’s singing, stating, “I strongly agree with this concept.” When discussing Shen Yun’s portrayal of the persecution of faith taking place in China, he said, “I have encountered some (Falun Gong) protesters. I must admit, they portrayed this issue very well on stage because outside of China, we can understand what is happening, and the small dance dramas on stage help us understand the situation further.”
(Epoch Times Milan, Italy Bureau)
