SAN JOSE, Calif.—Pamela Welte, a retired ballerina and former employee of the United Nations UNICEF, had learned a lot about China through her interaction with Chinese immigrants in New York.
Sitting in the Center for the Performing Arts on the evening of Dec. 30, Mrs. Welte said Shen Yun showcased a lot of Chinese culture that’s not usually presented.
“We don’t learn about this culture. We just learned that China is a communist country, something to be feared, rather than about the beauty that exists there in the people. These were things I never learned or heard about before,” she expressed.
“Shen Yun was phenomenal. It was great, and the dancers were amazing,” exclaimed Mr. Welte.
“It doesn’t matter what your political background is. This is in your heart and spirit.”
Referring to the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of innocents, Mr. Welte chimed in that “it’s not right” because “we should all be able to pursue what gives us joy and peace and love.”
“Their movements were not just well-rehearsed. It came from the heart. It was really beautiful, and the flow was gorgeous. You could tell these people have trained,” she said.
“The extensions and the legs—you don’t just wake up one morning and do that. That took years of practice, dedication, and giving your life to the art. There’s nothing more beautiful than being able to show emotion through art—that’s what life’s about.”
