China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Its 5,000 years of history are filled with legends and rich traditions. Yet, within just a few decades following the rise of the Chinese Communist Party, this magnificent culture was destroyed.

Mr. Olivares found the performance deeply educational.

“To see it in a live performance by people who are obviously dedicated to what they’re doing, it’s very, very, very enriching.”

“When we saw the communist [persecution depicted] in the show, that was quite confronting. That was quite emotional for me,” she shared.

“I find it really disturbing to hear that you can’t express yourself—especially through the arts and through your own beliefs. That’s something we’re not used to here in Australia.”

Mr. Olivares added that such issues are rarely seen in mainstream media.

“But at the moment, we don’t see that in the media at all. All you see is what the media feed us, which is not what’s actually happening.”

Though Shen Yun is beloved around the world, due to the artists’ focus on reviving traditional culture and presenting the truth of events under communist rule, it is currently forbidden by the regime from performing in China.

Mr. Olivares emphasized that dance and music transcend societal boundaries and shouldn’t be politicized. “It’s about culture,” he said. “People should be allowed to practice their culture.”

For Ms. Olivares, Shen Yun conveys a universal message: “There is humanity in everyone. Being able to share our beliefs and share our care and warmth between each other, no matter what we believe, is so important.”

“Keep doing it because you’re exposing people, the rest of the world, to your culture, which is very important to maintain,” he said. “I think culture is one of the most fundamental things that humans have, and we should be able to pass that on to our next generations. Please do it again.”

To those who have not yet seen the performance, he offered simple advice: “Don’t hesitate. Watch it.”