NANTES, France—On the evening of Saturday, Feb. 21, a large crowd gathered in front of the Cité des Congrès in Nantes to immerse themselves in the world of Shen Yun.
“Remarkable, truly beautiful,” said Arthur Gevart, enthralled by Shen Yun’s dancing and singing performances in Nantes on Saturday evening.
This general practitioner appreciated “the harmony of colors, the gentle rhythms, the transitions between positions, and the sudden disappearances and reappearances of the dancers,” made possible by the animated digital backdrop, a patented technology that allows dancers to move seamlessly from the stage to the screen.
For Mr. Gevart, the artistic level is high, both among the dancers and the costumes and choreographers: “The costumes are exceptional, as is the work of the costume designers in their choice of colors, fabrics. ... Then there are the dancers, perfectly synchronized, performing very complex, and sometimes even seemingly perilous, moves, yet with such lightness. I get the impression that it requires no effort on their part. It’s perfect. And the choreography is also very good.”
Classical Chinese dance, both expressive and athletic, is one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world, drawing on thousands of years of history for its basic postures and movements, as well as its acrobatics. Dynasty after dynasty, it has been enriched by ethnic and folk dances, street theater, and imperial court dances.
Shen Yun ‘Uplifts the Spirit’
“I didn’t expect a dance performance to convey an ethical, moral, and spiritual message,” added the doctor. “I thought I was going to see a high-level traditional dance performance, but I didn’t expect the spiritual and ethical dimension to be so central. Yet it is this dimension that structures the entire performance.”Indeed, Shen Yun means “the beauty of divine beings dancing,” paying homage to an ancestral culture inspired by the divine. All ancient Chinese, from the humblest peasant to the prestigious emperor, made sure to praise and honor the gods, respecting the balance and harmony of Heaven, Earth, and humankind. Shen Yun thus places spirituality at the heart of its paintings.
Arthur Gevart was able to feel this connection to the divine, which he finds inspiring: “I want to do more beautiful things, to look up to the sky, to the spiritual, and to improve my ethics in life.”
Shen Yun “uplifts the spirit,” he said.
Attending the show can “make the audience want to reconnect with their own traditions—everyone has their own, of course—while learning more about Chinese traditions.”
“I think that the more people see this show, the better the world will be,” concluded Arthur Gevart. “Judging by the applause received here in Nantes, ... I conclude that Shen Yun can change the way some people view ethical, moral, and spiritual issues.”
Frédéric Ortmans, engineer, “immersed himself in another world” with Shen Yun Nantes, Feb. 21, 2026. NTD
‘You Leave This Show Feeling Uplifted’
“It’s exotic, very colorful, and enchanting! You’re immersed in another world for a few hours.” From his seat at the Cité des Congrès in Nantes, Frédéric Ortmans traveled through traditional China.Discovering Chinese classical dance for the first time, the engineer commented, “There’s so much energy! The dancers are true athletes. It’s always impressive to watch!”
“I also appreciate the spiritual message and the kind and positive values that are conveyed,” continued Mr. Ortmans. “It always feels good. You feel uplifted when you watch these inspiring dances and hear the messages they convey. Yes, I think you leave this show feeling uplifted.”
“We live in a somewhat complicated world, as we can see in the news,” concluded Mr. Ortmans. “Shows like this one, which convey kindness and spirituality, can only bring positive things.”
Reporting by Sarita Modmesaïb and translated from the French language Epoch Times by Sonia Rouleau.
