PARIS, France—On the evening of May 2, Shen Yun Performing Arts drew enthusiastic reactions from the audience gathered at the Palais des Congrès in Paris. Through two testimonials gathered during the intermission—one from Carol Werlé, president of a software company, and the other from Kristine Naltchadjian, a regional director at a technology firm—a portrait emerged of a memorable experience, blending visual beauty, cultural depth, and spiritual significance.
Mr. Werlé noted the cultural richness from the very first impressions of the performance. “Extraordinary, very interesting, a beautiful complement to what we know about Chinese culture … and probably what actually happened a few millennia ago,” he said.
On stage, this richness is reflected in a fusion of tradition and innovation. “I see a clever blend of modern techniques and traditional dance, with the performance on screen blending seamlessly with the performance on stage,” Mr. Werlé said.
“The artistic quality is truly remarkable … [but] the spiritual element found here, which is … a missing piece of the puzzle,” he said, comparing Shen Yun to other performances he has seen in China.
Chinese classical dance draws its roots from China’s ancient spiritual traditions—in particular Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism—in which moral elevation and a connection with the divine were celebrated.
“It’s a universal message that resonates with all cultures,” he said.
‘Very Gentle and Positive’
For her part, Kristine Naltchadjian, regional director at a technology company, noted the visual and emotional impact of Shen Yun.
The classical Chinese dance being revived by Shen Yun is distinguished in particular by the fluidity of its transitions, the expansiveness of its movements, and the expressiveness of the upper body, which allow stories to be told without words.
“The emotions are very gentle and positive … it really makes you want to visit and learn about the traditions,” Mrs. Naltchadjian said.
She also touched on a more introspective aspect: “You get a sense of this idea of reflection, of seeing life differently … We’re here to experience exceptional moments; we’re not here to make money.”
This message, in her view, resonates particularly strongly in today’s world: “In today’s world, … returning to traditions and adopting a different perspective … we need to learn a little more.”
Finally, she summed up the show’s appeal in a few words: “Gentleness, faith, … preserving traditions, and taking a little trip when you can’t actually travel.”
This situation struck a chord with many audience members, including Mr. Werlé, who expressed both a wish and a sense of hope: “I hope that one day you’ll perform the same show in China. And perhaps today, that’s more likely than it was 10 years ago.”
