SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun in Lausanne: Princess Françoise Sturdza Praises the Show’s Mission

Feb 25, 2026

2/25/2026Updated: 2/25/2026

LAUSANNE, Switzerland—At the Théâtre de Beaulieu, the Shen Yun performance left a deep impression on Princess Françoise Sturdza, who describes it as an artistic experience with a spiritual and cultural mission.

On Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m., at the Théâtre de Beaulieu in Lausanne, Shen Yun deeply moved Princess Françoise Sturdza, a princess of Romanian origin and founder of the Heart for India Foundation. She describes a show that goes beyond artistic excellence to embody, in her words, a true mission.

Shen Yun has set itself the task of reviving 5,000 years of traditional Chinese civilization through classical Chinese dance and music. Founded in New York, the company draws on historical accounts, legends, and certain contemporary themes to highlight the richness of a millennia-old culture.

‘A Mission That Gives the Show Its Soul’

For Princess Françoise Sturdza, the technical virtuosity and visual beauty are undeniable. But the essence lies elsewhere.

“I came for the artistic vision, for the perfection, and for the work that has been accomplished. But also because of the company’s mission, because that’s what gives this show its soul. That’s why this show is unique.”

According to her, this inner dimension gives the performance a special depth: “This show carries a message, and many people should understand it.”

When asked about this message, Princess Sturdza first mentions “the protection of religion, beliefs, and history.”

Several scenes in the show address the ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China. This meditation discipline, based on the universal principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, has been targeted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999, which persecutes, imprisons, and tortures its practitioners. The scenes depicted illustrate the hardships endured by these practitioners as well as their peaceful resistance.

Princess Sturdza also highlights the ideological excesses of communism.

“It is obviously the damage caused by communism that many people have forgotten, ignored, or refuse to see, even though it is an ideology that destroys the world, destroys human beings, and destroys the soul. And that is what we find in this show: the soul.”

For the viewer, these scenes give the show an extra dimension, contrasting China’s spiritual heritage with the tensions of the present.

A Personal Connection

The show also evokes the idea of a Creator, a theme that particularly touched Princess Françoise Sturdza.

“I am speaking to you here in a very personal way. Raised in a religious environment, I went through a long period during which I no longer believed in God. But faced with current discoveries about the complexity of the universe, matter, and human beings, I have reconnected with the idea of a God, a creator—call it what you will.”

This rediscovery of the meaning of the sacred, she believes, ties in with a broader questioning of the origin and purpose of existence. She sees this as one of the show’s central themes: the relationship between the divine and humanity, and the quest for moral elevation.

“Today’s world lacks reference points, lacks history, lacks knowledge; it no longer respects anything. For me, that’s where it all starts: respect. Respect, knowledge and, of course, longer, deeper reflection—truly essential reflection on this question: how and why are we here?”

“I am now certain that there is something above us, something that helps us get through life. You can see it clearly in the show. We need strength—moral strength, inner strength, strength of the soul.”

A Commitment to Art

In this context, Princess Françoise Sturdza sees Shen Yun as an endeavor that transcends the artistic realm.

“It’s a struggle. It’s both an act of informing and a commitment. These young people are taking the risk of going against the grain of today’s world.”

This perception is consistent with the reality described by the company on its website, where it claims to face various forms of pressure: “The Communist Party constantly pressures theaters to cancel our performances, seeks to bribe local politicians to comply with its demands, harasses the families of artists in China, sends false bomb threats to theaters.”

‘A Declaration of Faith Carried by the Soul’

Beyond aesthetics, Princess Sturdza sees Shen Yun as a deeply committed work.

“It’s a declaration of faith. Beyond the artistic aspect, which is magnificent and of high quality, it’s the soul of the show that dominates. I always come back to this: it’s this soul that emanates from the message and from this struggle.”

For her, Shen Yun is not just an exceptional artistic performance: it is an experience that invites reflection on spirituality, the memory of civilizations, and the place of human beings in a world searching for meaning.

Reporting by Isabelle Meyer and translated from the French language Epoch Times by Sonia Rouleau.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.