LYON, France—Combining visual poetry with spiritual depth, Shen Yun Performing Arts transports audiences to a unique world. Through classical Chinese dance, the performance takes viewers on a journey through 5,000 years of China’s spectacular history, revealing a culture rich in values and emotions.
From the very first scenes, the audience is often struck by the quality of the performance. Yvan Ruzand, a sales manager, summed up his impression enthusiastically: “It’s absolutely beautiful, very graceful, and very subtle.”
A Rediscovery of Traditional Chinese Culture
“These performances reveal another side of China and its civilization,” Mr. Ruzand said from the theater of the beauty and lively spirit of traditional Chinese culture.Pierre Charon, the director of a training organization, said the performance “gives us a glimpse into this dance form that we didn’t know before.” For many, Shen Yun thus serves as a gateway to a rich but otherwise less accessible culture.
A Universal Spiritual Dimension
Drawing inspiration from Chinese traditions, classical Chinese dance conveys values related to the divine, the harmony between heaven and Earth, and the inner quest.Ms. Rubat spoke to this spiritual dimension of the performance: “The divine is very much present, along with tradition and elegance.”
This connection to the spiritual was also felt by the other audience members. Ms. Charon described the performance as “very spiritual,” while Mr. Charon said, “You can feel the connection.”
Messages of Kindness and Courage
Shen Yun also stands out for the messages it conveys. “You can feel that kindness and that spirit of peace,” Mr. Ruzand said. This kindness is evident in the choreography, the performers’ expressions, and the stories being told.The performance also explores deeper themes, including freedom of belief and the challenges faced by persons of faith in China. Ms. Rubat spoke of “the hidden truth about the suffering inflicted on all Chinese people who wish to practice their philosophy of life.”
“I was somewhat familiar with these performances because I’d read quite a bit about them. And they reflect exactly what I thought about Falun Gong,” Ms. Rubat said. Falun Gong, a spiritual practice based on the teachings of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, is banned and persecuted in China by the ruling communist party. Practitioners overseas, who enjoy freedom of belief, have therefore chosen to use art as a key means of sharing their story and raising awareness of the ongoing human rights violations in China.
A Powerful Emotional Experience
Emotion lies at the heart of the experience. Ms. Rubat said she felt “very moved” and “deeply touched” by Shen Yun’s storytelling.Mr. Charon, for his part, spoke of “a wealth of inner emotions, the quality, and the precision of the movements.” The dancers’ technical precision, combined with their expressiveness, created a direct connection.
Audiences around the world have said that Shen Yun transcends cultural boundaries. It conveys a universal message centered on beauty, peace, and resilience. “You feel carried away on a cloud of kindness; it transports you to another world,” Mr. Ruzand said.
For Ms. Charon, the show “brings joy … and an appreciation for new cultures.” It served as a true bridge between cultures, allowing everyone to follow the experience without leaving their seat.
Mr. Charon concluded by saying that Shen Yun “shows us many aspects of China that we might otherwise never have known.”
“I really like it because you actually discover the truth,” Ms. Rubat said.
