BILBAO, Spain—On March 4, Shen Yun Performing Arts presented its second performance of the season at the Palacio Euskalduna in the northern Spanish city of Bilbao. The theater was once again filled to capacity, with audience members from many sectors of society gathering to see the performance.
Among them was Carlos Iturgaiz Angulo, a member of the Basque Parliament who praised the performance for both its artistry and its message. Mr. Iturgaiz Angulo is a well-known Spanish politician who has long been active in the Basque region as well as European politics.
“Truly magnificent. What we experienced here in Bilbao tonight is wonderful,” Mr. Iturgaiz Angulo said after the performance. “I hope this message and this performance can reach every place possible, because it is very important.”
During the evening, he discussed the performance with colleagues and reflected on the fact that Shen Yun cannot currently perform in China. Shen Yun says its performance showcases “China before communism.”
“It’s a pity that this show cannot be seen in China at the moment because the Communist Party does not allow it,” he said. “But perhaps in the near future, people will be able to watch it in China—in Beijing, in Shanghai, in Guangzhou.”
He added that if such performances were allowed there, it would signify a profound change in the Middle Kingdom.
“If one day, this show can be performed in China, it will mean that the Communist Party has disappeared there,” he said. “That would be the most important thing—because it would mean people have freedom.”
According to Mr. Iturgaiz Angulo, freedom is a fundamental value that must be protected.
“The most important thing today is liberty,” he said. “Everyone should have the freedom to think and decide for themselves.”
“What we saw tonight represents the essence of ancient Chinese culture,” he said. “Chinese civilization is clearly one of the great cultures of the world. For Western audiences, it sometimes feels distant; we don’t always know it well. But it enriches the entire human family—both East and West.”
The performance offers audiences a rare opportunity to glimpse China’s traditional heritage, he said.
“Sometimes, it is difficult for Western people to fully understand the traditional values of the Chinese people,” he said. “But if one day, people in China themselves can freely see these values again, they will be very happy to remember what ancient China was like.”
The performance also includes stories that reflect the suppression of Falun Dafa under the Chinese Communist regime. Mr. Iturgaiz Angulo emphasized that respect for human rights and freedom of belief is essential everywhere.
“Human rights must be respected, and people must have freedom of belief,” he said. “You may believe in Falun Dafa, you may be Buddhist, you may be Christian—everyone must respect the choices others make for their conscience and their spirit.”
Mr. Iturgaiz Angulo stressed that freedom and human rights are inseparable.
“Without freedom there are no human rights,” he said. “Every country must grant its citizens freedom—whether in China, Iran, or anywhere in the world where people still face oppression.”
When asked about reports that the Chinese Communist regime has also attempted to interfere with Shen Yun performances abroad, Mr. Iturgaiz Angulo pointed to the enthusiastic audience in Bilbao.
“Just look at what is happening here tonight,” he said. “This theater is full, that is what matters most. Because we live in freedom and we can come here, watch the show, and decide whether we like it or not. We have the freedom to choose.”
He expressed hope that people around the world will continue supporting the values represented by the performance.
“Everyone should contribute in some way so that one day this show can also be seen in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou,” he said.
Marking the 20th anniversary of Shen Yun Performing Arts, Mr. Iturgaiz Angulo said he was especially pleased to witness the milestone and wanted to congratulate the artists.
‘Chinese Audiences Shouldn’t Have to Wait Another 20 Years’
He also encouraged the artists to continue their efforts and expressed hope that Chinese audiences would soon be able to see the performance in their own country.“I certainly encourage them to keep going,” he said. “Chinese audiences should not have to wait another 20 years to see this performance in their own homeland. I hope that in the near future it will be possible, because that would mean that China’s current political dictatorship has changed. Everyone should be able to express themselves freely, think freely, and live their lives without coercion—without having to risk their lives for their beliefs.”
Mr. Iturgaiz Angulo has long been outspoken on human rights issues in China. During his time as a member of the European Parliament, Mr. Iturgaiz Angulo was also active in raising concerns about human rights issues in China. In 2013, the parliament adopted the well-known resolution on allegations of organ harvesting in China, and he was among the lawmakers who supported and promoted the initiative.
He has repeatedly spoken out during parliamentary debates, condemning what he described as “barbaric and inhumane” practices. Mr. Iturgaiz Angulo stressed that in the face of such serious human rights abuses, the European Union cannot remain silent and must place pressure on the Chinese Communist authorities.
Throughout his tenure in the European Parliament, he consistently paid close attention to human rights issues in China and frequently spoke at related hearings on behalf of the People’s Party (Spain) and the European People’s Party parliamentary group.
