SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun in Paris: ‘Extraordinary, Magnificent, Splendid,’ Says Former Engineer

May 12, 2026

5/12/2026Updated: 5/13/2026

PARIS, France—On the afternoon of May 9, Shen Yun Performing Arts gave another sold-out performance at the Palais des Congrès in Paris. Here’s how several audience members responded.

Bruno Zerini, a lawyer, said, “Honestly, the show is quite magnificent; I’m particularly impressed by the dancers’ performances.”

Like many others, he highlighted the production’s visual richness, including the costumes, the staging, and the scenes unfolding one after another.

Mr. Zerini was also struck by Shen Yun’s technical innovation.

“What’s really impressive is the special effects featuring the interactive screen, with people entering and exiting the stage,” he said of the interaction between the patented digital backdrop and the dancers, which is part of Shen Yun’s signature style, creating a visual immersion that surprises many.

Certain scenes made a particular impression on Mr. Zerini, especially those inspired by traditional tales. “One thing that really blew me away was the story about the immortal Taoist,” and “the story of the Monkey King,” taken from the Chinese literary classic “Journey to the West“, Mr. Zerini said.

Beyond the aesthetics, it is also the spiritual dimension that resonated with him. This spiritual dimension lies at the heart of classical Chinese dance, which has also historically been linked to Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist values. “I find it interesting because we didn’t know much about this ancient tradition,” he said.

Shen Yun ‘The Best, The Pinnacle’

Gérard Hamelle attends Shen Yun at the Palais des Congrès in Paris on the afternoon of May 9, 2026. (NTD) — Gérard Hamelle attends Shen Yun at the Palais des Congrès in Paris on the afternoon of May 9, 2026. NTD

Gérard Hamelle, a former engineer, summed up his Shen Yun experience in a few words. “Extraordinary. Magnificent. Splendid,” he said.

Impressed by the technical skill on display, Mr. Hamelle described it as “the best, the pinnacle,” while acknowledging “a lot of hard work behind it.”

For Mr. Hamelle, the performance is a revelation. “I didn’t even know the background of the Chinese dissidents. I’m learning all about it now.” Some of Shen Yun’s contemporary scenes do indeed address contemporary topics, including the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners (also known as Falun Gong), as well as the preservation of spiritual traditions in the face of pressure from the Chinese communist regime.

Mr. Hamelle highlighted the performance’s emotional impact. “We could really feel the depth of emotion behind it all,” he said. “I hope this will help people realize that China isn’t quite the way it’s portrayed,” he said.

“I don’t regret coming,” he said.

Shen Yun,‘It’s Magnificent’

Michel Blachon saw Shen Yun for a second time at the Palais des Congrès in Paris on May 9, 2026. (NTD) — Michel Blachon saw Shen Yun for a second time at the Palais des Congrès in Paris on May 9, 2026. NTD

In the audience, Michel Blachon, a former auditor with the international firm KPMG, shared his enthusiasm, having already seen Shen Yun the previous year. “The show is excellent. We saw it last year ... It’s very enjoyable—it’s magnificent,” he said.

Every year, Shen Yun presents a completely new production, featuring new choreography, music, and staging, offering audiences a fresh experience each season.

Mr. Blachon highlighted the overall artistic quality. “I love the grace and the joy. It’s a beautiful show, featuring top-notch choreographers,” he said.

He also appreciated Shen Yun’s ability to transport the audience to another era. “There is something very appealing about it that allows us to relive a bit of China’s five-thousand-year history,” he said.

Mr. Blachon said he was impressed by the artists’ efforts. “We’re in awe of their work—whether it’s the dancers, the costumes, or the set design,” he said. Like Mr. Zerini, he highlighted the innovative staging and the use of the digital backdrop. “The effect of seeing people descend from the sky is quite innovative,” he said.

On an emotional level, his feelings are tinged with reflection on the state of the world today. “Above all, we can hope that this will bring a little more peace to the world, where there is so much violence everywhere,” he said.

Reporting by Nathalie Dieul 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.