In the resolution, Rep. Oliverson stated: “Shen Yun has remained steadfast in its efforts to share the richness of traditional Chinese culture, and in so doing, it has provided an inspiring example of resilience and artistry that has resonated with people of all ages, beliefs, and backgrounds.”
“Over the past two decades, Shen Yun has entertained and enchanted audiences around the globe, and its 20th anniversary tour is being welcomed with great anticipation by countless residents of the Lone Star State.”
The New York-based company was founded in 2006 by elite Chinese artists who had fled persecution by the communist party.
Attending Shen Yun for the first time, Ms. Handley was mesmerized by the beauty of the matinee.
“The performance was an honor,” she said. “It was truly beautiful. It’s a lot of history, a lot of artistic value. I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Unlike the modern, military-influenced styles often seen in China today, Shen Yun preserves and performs this tradition in its most authentic form, as it was originally passed down through generations.
Ms. Handley lamented China’s loss and expressed strong support for the artists’ efforts to share their story with the world.
“That was sad, it hurts a lot. We need to bring that awareness to the rest of the world, so we can hopefully try to fix it in the future,” she expressed. “We in the United States take [freedom] for granted; they don’t have that freedom in China.”
“We need to make sure that the world knows what’s going on in other parts of the country. [Shen Yun’s] effort is something that never needs to stop. It needs to just keep going and going and going, so we can all keep learning.”
She encourages everyone to seize the opportunity and see a performance for themselves.
