MONTPELLIER, France—On March 8, “the Mount of Maidens” (Montis Puellarum) resounded with the exceptional sounds of Shen Yun.
On International Women’s Day, three women shared their impressions after experiencing Shen Yun at the Corum in Montpellier.
Béatrice and Stanislas Pastre discovered a “colorful and luminous” show.
“The dancers are very graceful,” said the public law teacher-researcher. “It’s very enjoyable! I liked the historical aspect as well as the parallel with today’s China: the contrast between the current regime and the very colorful, free, and spiritual nature of the dance.”
Mrs. Pastre also praised Shen Yun for “being able to address beliefs, spirituality, and the current barriers under the regime in China.”
“It’s important to raise awareness, and it doesn’t detract from the beauty of the show.”
Reviving the rich traditional culture of 5,000 years of history, with its mosaic of ethnic groups and the diversity of the dynasties that have succeeded one another, Shen Yun brings spirituality back to the heart of its dance and song performances. Traditional China was once known as the “Celestial Empire” because the ancient Chinese believed in a culture inherited from the Divine.
However, when it came to power in 1949, the Chinese communist regime attempted to eradicate traditional beliefs and destroy ancestral treasures.
In addition to scenes depicting ancient culture, Shen Yun also portrays the current situation in contemporary China, including the persecution of Falun Dafa. Since 1999, practitioners of this meditation discipline based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance have been subjected to harassment, imprisonment, and persecution by the Chinese communist regime. Crimes of forced organ harvesting have also been reported by various international investigations.
“I think the show helps to inform the public, who may not necessarily be aware of the deprivation of freedoms or rights in China. It’s important to raise awareness, and that doesn’t detract from the beauty of the show,” Béatrice Pastre said.
“The show is beautiful,” enthused Stanislas Pastre, an engineer. “From a technical standpoint, the height of the jumps is impressive. I noticed that some of the dancers jumped really high and had remarkable spring. The female dancers are also very strong! Really, the level is extraordinary.”
The couple praised the emcees’ interventions, which introduced each tableau, helping the audience better understand the historical and cultural context.
The Shen Yun orchestra, unique in the world, combines the sounds of a classical Western symphony orchestra with those of traditional Chinese musical instruments such as the erhu, pipa, and gong.
“The orchestra brings more authenticity,” Mrs. Pastre said.
Aurélie Giordano, a physician, and Cédric Losseur, a computer scientist, came with their daughter to experience Shen Yun in Montpellier on March 8, 2026. Fan Yi/The Epoch Times
‘So Many Emotions! It Was Very Rich and Beautiful!’
Aurélie Giordano and Cédric Losseur were also at the Corum on Sunday. With Shen Yun, they were able to introduce their daughter, Jade, to another classical dance technique.
Chinese classical dance, the foundation of Shen Yun’s dance performances, is considered one of the most comprehensive dance systems: in addition to basic postures and movements, dancers perform numerous pirouettes, jumps, and spins, all while expressing great emotion.
While watching the various dance and song performances, Ms. Giordano, a general practitioner, experienced “a whole range of emotions,” including “fear, laughter, humor, and a great deal of grace! It was very rich and beautiful!”
“We are not necessarily very knowledgeable about this culture, and the show allows us, through different scenes, to explore a little of China’s history and culture. It’s something we really enjoy,” Ms. Giordano said.
Cédric Losseur, a computer scientist, was finally able to capture the sounds of the erhu, a traditional two-stringed fiddle capable of expressing a wide range of emotions.
“We sometimes hear traditional Chinese music, but we never see the instrument that produces it. It’s interesting to materialize and visualize the instrument,” Mr. Losseur said.
Aurélie Giordano and Cédric Losseur were both surprised to discover the paintings depicting the current persecution in communist China. “It’s interesting, these are things we know about. But it’s true that here in France, we follow this situation from very, very far away. The show allows us to remember it.”
Delphine Terral, a business owner, came to discover the spirituality of traditional Chinese culture with Shen Yun. Montpellier, March 8, 2026. NTD
‘Allowing People to Recharge Their Batteries’
“It’s a superb show,” Delphine Terral said. “Time flies by, and the technology is really very advanced. You discover these scenes one after the other, it’s truly magical!”
To better transport audiences to the past, Shen Yun uses animated digital backdrops, a patented technology that allows dancers to move seamlessly from stage to screen.
This business leader in the construction materials industry also enjoyed the Shen Yun orchestra: “I’m in the front row, and I love watching the musicians. It’s great!”
A lover of Chinese history, Mrs. Terral confides that she came to learn more about spirituality and connection to the divine.
“I am sensitive to this kind of thing. This show can help people recharge their batteries and aspire to greater serenity,” Mrs. Terral said.
Reporting by Sarita Modmesaïb and translated from the French language Epoch Times by Sonia Rouleau.
