In attendance were Laura Chulia Serra, a regional deputy of Valencia, and city councilor Isabel Gomez Prieto.
She enjoyed every element of the production and thought the whole experience was remarkable. “The overall effect of the show—the visual impact, the use of color, and the fusion of technology with tradition—is extraordinary,” she shared. “The dance, in particular, offers a truly unique experience.”
“That was an entirely new sound,” she said. “Valencia is the home of great musicians, great bands, and great orchestras, but you can truly sense a distinctive tone here, a unique sound.”
Shen Yun is “a unique show. It’s a show worth seeing and above all, it should be appreciated and [be allowed to perform.] You should come and see it at least once in your life.”
Each year, the artists present a brand-new set of choreography and musical compositions, ensuring that both new and returning audience members are always in for a surprise.
Ms. Gomez Prieto also had a great time. “The show was wonderful, everything was astonishing,” she said. “At the same time, it allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese culture.”
Also in the audience was Noelia Ciscar Martinez, a regional deputy in the Valencian Parliament. Stepping out of the theatre at the end of the evening, she was full of praise for the performers and eager to return for more.
“The show is wonderful, it’s a fantasy, it’s a dream,” she said. “Learning about the culture in this way, with the colors, the dances, everything we’ve been able to enjoy, has not been enough, honestly.”
“There was always someone to guide you and introduce you to the story, the metaphor, and a little of what we are going to see and enjoy—it makes it even more interesting because you arrive with a sense of uncertainty or curiosity about what the dance or metaphor is going to convey.”
She will definitely recommend the performance to friends and family.
“It’s wonderful from the first minute to the last,” she said. “It’s a wonderful journey through history in which the two hours fly by, you don’t even notice the time.”
“We now live in a culture of “now,” of immediacy, of the need to be connected all the time. So, when two hours go by without you even noticing, it means they’re doing something very well. I recommend it one hundred percent.”
Though Shen Yun has met with widespread acclaim since its founding in 2006, the company is banned by the Chinese communist regime due to its commitment to raising awareness about ongoing human rights issues in present-day China.
In fact, the Chinese Communist Party’s embassy had previously sent letters to Valencian officials and the theater, pressuring them to cancel Shen Yun’s performances and urging the deputies not to attend. Despite this, the officials came anyway, many attending together as a group.
Reflecting on this, Ms. Ciscar Martinez said, “In the end, [traditional culture] is what brings us from our past and what brings us to where we are today. Censoring what is part of ourselves is almost incoherent.”
“We don’t understand why [this would happen.] After having experienced [Shen Yun] firsthand and having been able to verify it and see what it conveys, it makes no sense for it to be banned anywhere in the world, least of all in the place where its roots lie.”
“It is truly unfortunate that a culture born in China cannot be presented in China,” he said. “From the perspective of Western culture, it is difficult to understand why such a performance cannot be seen there.”
He was stunned by the story dance depicting the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of people of faith, and thought the artists’ use of dance and music is a very powerful way to convey their message.
“I was not aware of this, and it shocked me,” Mr. Betoret said. “We are living in a time when persecution based on ideology or religion is spreading in many places. Honestly, this has made me very curious to learn more.”
Lastly, upon hearing that Shen Yun is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Betoret offered his sincere congratulations.
“Of course, congratulations are in order. For a production to continue for twenty years is already a success,” he said.
“We live in an age when everything changes so quickly, and everything is so fleeting. The fact that they have continued for so long demonstrates the high quality of their work. I offer them my sincere congratulations.”
