SALT LAKE CITY—Senior engineer Terry Ferrin and his wife, Marcia, the owner of a cake studio, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts’ March 13 performance at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater. Mr. Ferrin was very surprised by the depth and richness of traditional Chinese culture.
“All we [ever] hear about is the CCP and all the things they do and the communism over there, but seeing the culture that [China] had before was really inspiring. It really changed my perception of China.”
New York-based Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by elite Chinese artists who had fled the persecution of the communist party.
For 5,000 years, China’s civilization flourished under the shared belief that the divine will bless those who uphold traditional moral values. Tragically, within just a few decades of the communist party’s violent takeover, these beliefs were erased and replaced with atheism.
“It was beautiful. I thought it was amazing,” she shared. “Obviously, [the performers] are super talented, but what I really loved is how much we all have in common.”
“Even though we have different cultures and different beliefs, [the values are] all very similar—like salvation and being kind and angels and a Creator—I didn’t realize that Chinese culture had that too.”
She will be bringing home the message that “we can be different, but we can accept each other’s differences.”
“You don’t have to silence anyone,” she added. “You can be who you are, and you can still get along and be loving.”
After finding out that Shen Yun presents a brand-new set of programs each year, Mr. Ferrin began eagerly planning his trip next year.
“When they said the show changes every year, I’m like, ‘Oh, we could totally come every year,’” he said.
“I loved all of it,” Mrs. Ferrin chimed in. “It was so tastefully done. I love their facial expressions. It was the complete package; it was beautiful. I think their message is super important, and I loved it, and I hope it never goes away.”
