AMIENS, France— At the Shen Yun performance on March 18, audience members were transported on an artistic journey blending dance, music, and spirituality. Many of them shared their enthusiasm after the show, describing it as both inspiring and soothing.
Isabelle Royal, an accountant, traveled to Amiens to attend Shen Yun. Having come from Lille especially for the occasion, she describes it as a true discovery.
“I think this is a show that takes us on a journey. There’s a sense of harmony between the different scenes, and I also feel there’s a touch of spirituality and meditation. … It’s a bit magical. It’s a little journey that’s relaxing and different from other shows.”
The director was particularly impressed by the Shen Yun orchestra, which “brings a unique, spiritual touch. It’s actually magical.”
The Shen Yun orchestra combines the sounds of a Western symphony orchestra with those of traditional Chinese instruments, such as the pipa, gong, erhu, and suona.
In addition, Mrs. Royal also mentions the moment when the soloist performs a piece on the erhu, a traditional Chinese two-stringed instrument known for its highly expressive tone.
“I close my eyes and listen. The sound travels through my body … I can feel the vibrations. It’s a wonderful experience,” she says.
Values of Kindness and Compassion
Beyond the show’s visual appeal, Isabelle Royal was moved by the values conveyed on stage.
“You can always see the inner strength. That’s what I like. The inner strength that comes through on stage.”
Indeed, the show’s website explains that in the past, “artists turned to the divine for inspiration. They practiced meditation and devoted themselves to virtue. They believed that to create art worthy of elevating the spirit, they must first cultivate goodness.” Today, Shen Yun artists carry on this noble tradition. Their source of inspiration? The spiritual discipline known as Falun Dafa. Rooted in traditional Chinese culture, Falun Dafa includes meditation exercises and teachings based on the values of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Alongside their rigorous training, the artists meditate together and apply altruism and self-discipline in their daily lives.”
Mrs. Royal praised the artists’ work, saying to them, “Well done on their performance! I think it takes daily practice. They must lead a healthy lifestyle to be able to perform all those moves and dances.”
In addition to the paintings depicting traditional Chinese culture, Mrs. Royal was moved by the paintings depicting the ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in modern-day communist China. “You always reap what you sow. That’s the message that runs throughout the show. When you show kindness, you see that everything calms down. There’s no point in causing tension. We always return to peace.”
For Mrs. Royal, Shen Yun meets a current need. “I think right now, we need to see this kind of show. It brings us peace.”
Bernard Krebs, a former architect, found Shen Yun “dazzling” on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Amiens. NTD
Classical Chinese Dance, An Artistic Tradition Dating Back Thousands of Years
Bernard Krebs, a retired architect living in Amiens, discovered Shen Yun after seeing a television advertisement. From the very first minutes, he was captivated. “It’s dazzling. It’s truly a spectacular show … I didn’t expect so many colors, so many costumes, and such virtuosity either. It was impressive.”
Classical Chinese dance, an ancient art form passed down through the dynasties, is at the heart of Shen Yun’s dance performances. This highly expressive dance form combines acrobatic techniques, elegant postures, and rich storytelling. It brings to life legends, historical episodes, and stories inspired by the spiritual traditions of ancient China.
An Immersion in Traditional Chinese Culture
Beyond the artistic performance, Bernard Krebs was particularly moved by the show’s cultural content. “The show traces the history of China as a whole. And it’s fascinating—you discover episodes and eras you never would have imagined,” he explains.
For him, the dancers’ grace and the precision of the choreography reflect a great sensitivity. “It’s in the fluidity of the movements … the choreography is truly superb. It’s impressive.”
The spiritual dimension, which is often present in traditional Chinese culture, also caught his attention. He describes the staging as “moving,” particularly thanks to the visual effects and “the characters who appear and disappear” in the scenes of the show.
For this former architect, Shen Yun can be a source of inspiration for today’s society. “China is the embodiment of wisdom and reflection … one tends to be captivated and moved by the performance itself and by Chinese civilization.”
“Shen Yun is an inspiring performance,” concludes Mr. Krebs.
Reporting by Sarita Modmesaïb and translated from the French language Epoch Times by Sonia Rouleau.
