ROME, Italy—On the evening of Feb. 13, Shen Yun New York Company’s performance in Rome was met with resounding applause from a packed house at the Auditorium della Conciliazione, marking the opening of the company’s nine-performance run in the Eternal City.
Located just steps from Vatican City, the Auditorium della Conciliazione was built in the 1930s as a symbol of the “reconciliation” between Rome and the Vatican and was completed in 1950 after World War II. The venue carries deep historical and religious significance—an apt setting for an evening devoted to tradition and spirituality.
Tickets had sold out months in advance, leaving many hopeful attendees on a waiting list.
Lucio Malan has served as a Senator of the Italian Republic since 2001 and currently chairs the Senate Group of Fratelli d'Italia, where he is active in foreign affairs and defense matters.
He emphasized that the production transcends dance alone. “It showcases beautiful colors and splendid costumes, telling stories that are sometimes humorous and at other times deeply moving. It genuinely promotes values—freedom, tradition, devotion. These are essential.”
Mr. Malan underscored that restoring traditional values is “absolutely vital.” He reflected, “Even we in the West need to return to traditional and spiritual values. As we heard in the song this evening, fame and fortune cannot fill life, nor can they give it meaning.”
Expressing his best wishes to the artists, Mr. Malan concluded, “I am delighted to hear that all performances are sold out, with audiences eagerly requesting additional shows. Having seen last year’s production, I can say it truly lived up to its promise. This year’s program is entirely new, with fresh vignettes, music, and choreography. Year after year, Shen Yun presents ever more magnificent performances.”
Former Italian Foreign Minister and Senator Giulio Terzi also attended the performance.
Having seen Shen Yun several times, Mr. Terzi noted that he remained deeply moved. “The most striking aspect was the powerful message conveyed—revealing a classical and profound dimension of Chinese culture rarely showcased today. Only this exceptional artistic ensemble could express such a free, transcendent, and deeply spiritual message.”
He further reflected on the spiritual imagery portrayed in the performance. “Sacred values are conveyed through figures descending from the heavens—this lightness and profundity ultimately blossom into moving beauty within the artistic expression.”
Regional council member Priamo Bocchi also shared his reflections after attending Shen Yun.
“Rediscovering the divine essence within every heart is not merely a path to inner peace or salvation for the faithful,” Mr. Bocchi said. “It is a genuine journey of self-discovery.”
Attending Shen Yun for the first time, Mr. Bocchi expressed both joy and amazement. “For years, I had heard about this performance but never witnessed it firsthand. Watching it filled me with immense joy and astonishment. It has inspired me to explore cultures I previously knew little about. It truly is a beautiful and exhilarating performance.”
Seated in the front row, Mr. Bocchi said he could fully appreciate the performers’ artistry. “The dancers’ talent is exceptional. I admired the subtle facial expressions, the interaction with the dynamic backdrop, and the moving music.”
He expressed admiration for Shen Yun’s mission to revive traditional Chinese culture and present China before communism to the world. “The performance reveals the profound spiritual depth of a civilization with thousands of years of history, now devastated and oppressed by the communist regime. The very endurance of Shen Yun makes every aspect of the show even more precious.”
Mr. Bocchi described the performance’s emphasis on the connection between humanity and the divine as “absolutely, absolutely vital” in today’s world. “It addresses a yearning rooted within each of us. Rediscovering the divine essence within the heart is not only about personal peace—it is a true path of self-discovery.”
Observing the full house, Mr. Bocchi offered his encouragement to the artists: “May they continue to find joy in performing, as they clearly do, and may they persist in conveying such profound messages to audiences through music and dance alone—without words.”
