SAN JOSE, Calif.—Company president Adriano Naderi was already a fan of Shen Yun Performing Arts when he arrived for the company’s matinee at the Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 28.
He has seen New York-based Shen Yun perform in years past and also plans to attend another performance next week when the artists visit San Francisco.
What keeps Mr. Naderi going back again and again, he said, is “the colors and the music and the dance and the 5,000 years of culture, and also understanding what has happened and what’s going on now.”
“The beauty of the culture should be recognized, and what we are seeing is the true story [squeezed into] the short period of time of Shen Yun’s [performance.] This is not only historical, it’s educational as well.”
Endowed with 5,000 years of history, China was once known as the “Land of the Divine.” For millennia, its people believed that by keeping their hearts pure and adhering to kindness and moral virtues, they would be blessed by the divine.
Indeed, for 5,000 years, the country prospered. However, after the communist takeover and its spread of atheism, all this divinely-inspired culture was systematically destroyed. Today, Shen Yun’s mission is to bring back the beauty and goodness of “China before communism.”
Mr. Naderi said the dancers’ skills were outstanding. “I’m sure they are the highest-level professionals across the world,” he said. “The dancing and the color and the costum[ing] is so amazing.”
Mr. Naderi was especially moved by the story raising awareness about the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa—a peaceful meditation practice whose followers adhere to the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.
“I really love the one with the mother and the son—they’re fighting for freedom,” he said. “[The Chinese regime] should allow Falun Gong to be recognized across the nation … to practice. It’s emotional, and it’s based on a true story. I know we are here seeing it at the performing arts, but it’s a reality.”
Mr. Naderi loved the song by Shen Yun’s singer and the message he conveyed. “Oh my God, that individual has a beautiful voice, and the lady who’s playing the piano is fantastic,” he said.
“The gentleman has a beautiful voice and it’s going to the human hearts—especially the meaning which I was reading on the screen. The [lyrics are] so amazing, and it’s back again to say that Falun Dafa should be allowed [in China.]”
Highly trained in the classic bel canto style, known for producing the most beautiful and pure tone of voice, Shen Yun singers bring original songs to the stage that delve into the deeper meanings of life.
Finally, Mr. Naderi expressed his well wishes to the performers and encouraged them to continue their mission and spread “this message across the world.”
“Personally, and on behalf of humanity, [their efforts are] very, very appreciated—whatever they do, they do at the highest level of professionalism. Good luck to them.”
