On May 6, Fethi Merad visited the Palais des Congrès in Paris to immerse himself in the world of Shen Yun. From the very first moment, the surgeon struggled to find the words. “The performance has left me speechless. It’s so beautiful and full of color,” he said.

Having recently traveled to China with his wife, Dr. Merad explained that he sees on stage “all the wonders of that country, which never ceases to amaze us.”

Visibly moved, he said, “There are no words to describe how I feel. It really is a truly beautiful show.”

Dr. Merad also said he could sense the immense amount of work that goes into the performance.  “You can feel the power that comes from hours of practice and discipline. I recognize the effort,” he said.

But beyond the technical aspects, Dr. Merad was moved by the spiritual dimension of the performance: “You can clearly see from their expressions that it’s not just about technique; there is undeniably something spiritual and divine in their performance.”

Shen Yun means “the beauty of divine beings dancing,” as the company has made it its mission to revive authentic traditional Chinese culture, which is deeply rooted in spirituality. Indeed, China was once known as the “Land of the Divine,” and the ancient Chinese believed in a culture inherited from the deities, praising them and respecting the harmony among Heaven, Earth, and humankind.

Dr. Merad also sensed a great deal of generosity on the part of the performers: “They want to give—you can really feel it—and we can only congratulate them.”

For the surgeon, Shen Yun conveyed “a clear message,” reminding us of what traditional China was like: “Art is there to prove it, too.”

The consultant said he felt as though he had been “transported to China in just a few minutes.”

Beyond the emotions evoked by these scenes, Mr. Courgey praised the artistic direction: “The actors portrayed it very well.”

For the consultant, Shen Yun also helped place China in a broader historical context, one that is very different from the communist China that emerged over 70 years ago. “It’s good to place China within the context of its 5,000-year history,” he said, adding, “It opens our eyes to China and its great culture, which spans thousands of years.”

“There is a strong connection with the divine,” he said, noting the harmony that exists between humankind, Heaven, and Earth. “It’s heartening to see that, over the course of 5,000 years, the divine has played a significant role, and there has been a strong connection with nature,” he said.

He noted, however, that “even with the Chinese today, even though they live under a regime that sought to eliminate everything, one can still sense this sensitivity.”

Moved by the atmosphere of the performance, he said, “They convey poetry and kindness very well,” adding that the whole experience provided “a real sense of well-being.”

Finally, Mr. Courgey believed that Shen Yun plays an important cultural role. “It offers a window into Chinese culture as a whole,” which, in his view, allows for “a more accurate and positive view of China and its culture.”