HAMILTON, Canada—Conservative MP Ned Kuruc and his family saw Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time at FirstOntario Concert Hall in Hamilton, Ont., on March 12, and enjoyed it immensely.

“It was a wonderful experience,” Mr. Kuruc said after the show.

“Much of China’s past has been forgotten, and it’s [performances] like this that remind us of the rich and vibrant culture that China used to have before communism,” he said. “I worked in China for a few years, but even in China I never saw performances like this.”

“Here in the Western world, we don’t see things like this,” he said. “I encourage everyone to come and see it because China has one of the oldest civilizations on the planet, but ever since communism stepped in, it wiped out a lot of that history.”

“I think [the performers] are doing a phenomenal job,“ he added. ”I was delighted. I know a little bit about Chinese history, and I learned a lot more [through the performance]. It’s an enjoyable experience to sit and walk back through time.”

He also said he thinks it’s important to preserve tradition.

“I think if you don’t understand the past, I don’t think you can forge a way forward into the future. I think sometimes people tend to go blindly into the future, but I think if you look in the past, there’s a lot to learn about the way things were done,” he said.

Mr. Kuruc congratulated Shen Yun on its 20th anniversary this year, and said he would like to see it perform for many years to come.

Mr. Kuruc’s wife, Lisa Kuruc, praised the show’s unique animated backdrop and the wide array of colourful costumes worn by the performers. She said it brought back “a lot of memories” from when she was younger, and her mother would watch shows and movies of ancient times.

“Everything about the backdrop, the outfits, the silk outfits, it was literally moving like water. It was beautiful,” she said.

She said she will tell her friends who haven’t seen the show yet that they “definitely need to come watch it.” “We’ll probably come back and watch it again,” she added.

MP Garnett Genuis extended his greetings to the Shen Yun performers and those attending the show this year. He said Shen Yun celebrates traditional Chinese culture and the values it represents.

“This is a beautiful display that I’ve had the honour of seeing in a number of different cities across Canada, where traditional Chinese culture is maintained, shared, and celebrated,” Mr. Genuis said in a video to the performing arts company.

MP Kelly DeRidder welcomed Shen Yun back to Canada, saying the performance is a “testament to the enduring power of art, tradition, and human spirit.”

“Shen Yun’s dedication to reviving China’s 5,000 years of traditional culture, while highlighting universal values such as compassion, courage, and freedom, deeply resonates with Canadians from all walks of life,” Ms. DeRidder said in a video to Shen Yun. “Its performances not only inspire and uplift audiences, but also honour the cultural diversity and shared values that define our country.”

MP Dan Muys also commended Shen Yun for its celebration of thousands of years of traditional Chinese culture, which reflects “universal values” of compassion, courage, and reverence for the divine. He said these are values that “resonate deeply” with people in Canada.

“In Canada, we celebrate freedom of expression and cultural diversity, and we recognize the importance of preserving artistic traditions,” Mr. Baker wrote in a letter. “Events like Shen Yun provide an opportunity for communities to come together and appreciate the richness of global heritage.”

MP Connie Cody said milestones like Shen Yun’s 20th anniversary “remind us how powerful the arts can be in connecting people, sparking inspiration, and bringing a welcome sense of beauty into our busy lives.”

MP Marilyn Gladu said she was “awed by the beauty” of the Shen Yun performance she attended in Ottawa last year. “Thank you for bringing this message of peace to the world,” she said.

Ontario MPP Rudy Cuzzetto extended his best wishes to Shen Yun, saying the company’s “timeless principles,” including compassion, courage, loyalty, freedom, and reverence, “resonate across cultures and generations.”

“A strong promoter of Chinese artistry, culture, and performance, you have also propelled dynamic growth in the arts across Canada and Mississauga. Your extraordinary performances – by 8 companies - uplift audiences and bring new hope and inspiration,” Ms. Parrish wrote in a letter. “Your portrayal of 5,000 years of heritage provides us with a stunning theatrical journey time and again.”

Mississauga Deputy Mayor and Councillor John Kovac said Shen Yun’s resilience and commitment to preserving traditional culture in the face of international pressures and attempts to disrupt its mission is “inspiring.”

“Shen Yun’s dedication to reviving China’s 5,000 years of traditional culture and sharing universal values such as compassion, courage, loyalty, and freedom is truly commendable,” Mr. Kovac said in a letter, adding that the performances offer audiences a “remarkable opportunity to experience classical Chinese dance and music while celebrating cultural diversity and artistic excellence.”

Mississauga Councillor Brad Butt said he has had the pleasure of attending Shen Yun performances for several years in his city, and looks forward to attending again this year.

“For two historic decades, Shen Yun has continued its mission to breathe life into 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture, through stunning classical Chinese dance, beautiful orchestral performances, and breathtaking interactive backdrops that transport the audience to another world,” Mr. Butt said in a letter.