SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Leaves Aix Audience in Awe

Apr 19, 2026

4/19/2026Updated: 4/20/2026

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France—Blending grace and tradition, Shen Yun Performing Arts captivated the audience with an artistic masterpiece inspired by 5,000 years of Chinese culture.

Combining classical Chinese dance, music, and dynamic staging, the performance on April 16 at the Grand Théâtre de Provence conveyed timeless values, such as harmony, compassion, and spirituality.

William Svoboda, a former banking executive, said he was particularly struck by the precision of the Shen Yun performance: “It’s impressive in terms of technical mastery, the synchrony as well, the harmony of colors … It’s perfect synchrony.”

He also highlights the ingenuity of the staging, particularly the interaction between the dancers and the animated digital backdrop: “The transition of the characters from the stage to the screen is extremely well executed … you can tell it represents many, many hours of work.”

Alain Priet, a former chief mechanic with the Patrouille de France, shared the same sentiment, describing a truly memorable visual experience: “Magnificent, magical—a feast for the eyes, with the colors, the dancers, and the sets.”

A Comprehensive Art Form

At the heart of the performance lies classical Chinese dance, an ancient and highly codified art form. Contrary to popular belief, it is not merely an aesthetic form, but a comprehensive discipline that integrates techniques, postures, jumps, pirouettes, and above all, an expressive dimension known as “yun,” or inner presence.

This art form, passed down for thousands of years, is rooted in a 5,000-year-oldChinese culture and is distinguished by the richness of its techniques and expression. It is characterized by its ability to tell stories, convey emotions, and embody moral values through movement.

Mr. Priet said, “Everything that embodies the spirit of the body—everything that classical dance can truly convey through these movements—is simply fabulous.”

Alain Priet enjoys Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Grand Théâtre de Provence in Aix-en-Provence, France, on April 16, 2026. (NTD) — Alain Priet enjoys Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Grand Théâtre de Provence in Aix-en-Provence, France, on April 16, 2026. NTD

For many audience members, Shen Yun is also a cultural discovery. “It allows us to discover China through its traditions and history,” Mr. Svoboda said.

Each scene in the performance brought to life legends, historical tales, and contemporary scenes, offering a glimpse into the richness and diversity from the millenia-old Chinese civilization.

Universal Values Brought to Light

Beyond the artistic performance, the show conveys profound values. According to audience members, kindness, empathy, and harmony stood out.

“You can sense … a fair amount of attentiveness and consideration toward the other person’s perspective,” Mr. Svoboda said

For his part, Mr. Priet enjoyed the themes of “kindness, harmony, gentleness […] that physical harmony.”

These values, expressed through dance and music, resonate deeply in today’s world.

Shen Yun’s mission—to present a traditional culture that has largely been lost in contemporary China—is also widely praised.

“Heritage is a great treasure […] it’s a wonderful mission,” Mr. Svoboda said.

Based in New York, Shen Yun is committed to preserving and passing on this heritage, free from any political constraints, even if that means it cannot perform in China.

A Show That Comes Highly Recommended

The two audience members agree on one thing: Shen Yun is an experience not to be missed.

“Yes, without a doubt … for its originality,” Mr. Svoboda said.

Mr. Priet added enthusiastically: “I recommend it to everyone … It’s magnificent. Magical. I’m completely blown away.”

Upon leaving the theater, the feeling is often the same: a sense of lightness and wonder. I feel “very light,” Mr. Priet said upon leaving the theatre.

Translated from the French language Epoch Times by Sonia Rouleau.