VALENCIA, Spain—On the evening of March 9, business owners Juan Pablo Bueno Bendicho and Ekaterina Panyukova attended Shen Yun Performing Arts’ second performance of the 2026 season at the Queen Sofía Opera House in Valencia. What they experienced, they said, was deeply moving—so much so that both were brought to tears.

“This is the best performance of this kind I’ve ever seen,” Mr. Bueno Bendicho said. “To be honest, I had goosebumps the entire time. She felt the same—we were both in tears, crying from how moved we were.”

Ms. Panyukova agreed: “Yes, it was incredibly moving and spectacular. I was crying.”

Mr. Bueno Bendicho owns a fitness center where he also offers sports training, coaching, and self-defense classes. Ms. Panyukova manages a real estate company.

Mr. Bueno Bendicho said he had long wanted to see Shen Yun. “I’ve always had a deep appreciation for Eastern culture,” he said. “We considered coming last year, but the tickets were hard to get. This year, I said we absolutely couldn’t miss it.”

Both said they were captivated by Shen Yun’s presentation of traditional Chinese culture. Mr. Bueno Bendicho noted that “the stories, the costumes, and the way everything is so seamlessly coordinated—even the music and the instruments themselves” left a strong impression on him.

For Ms. Panyukova, the evening was especially meaningful. “Tonight is very special for me,” she said. “We came from Alicante, about 250 kilometers (about 155 miles) away, just to see the show. I didn’t expect it to be so moving and enchanting. I was in tears the entire time—I loved it so much.”

Ms. Panyukova was particularly struck by the artistry on stage. “Everything was so refined and delicate—the dance, the singing, the music,” she said. “The costumes and the stories are beyond description. The dances are so feminine, which is something very rare to see today.”

She added that the performance offers something valuable for all audiences. “It’s important to learn about Chinese culture and classical dance,” Ms. Panyukova said. “The stories are sometimes joyful, sometimes heartbreaking, but always wonderful. I would recommend this to people of all ages and all nationalities. Everyone should see it at least once in their life—don’t miss it.”

Shen Yun aims to revive 5,000 years of China’s divinely inspired heritage and share with audiences the beauty of “China before communism.” Through classical Chinese, folk, and story-based dances, Shen Yun brings to life traditional values such as filial piety, kindness, truthfulness, and loyalty.

She was equally impressed by the soprano soloist. “That soprano could sing at least four octaves—I counted,” she said. “Her voice is incredibly powerful and full.”

The couple also enjoyed the storytelling through Shen Yun’s dance dramas. “Some of the stories we know, others we don’t, but all of them are captivating,” Mr. Bueno Bendicho said. “The way they tell them is very engaging.”

He particularly enjoyed the story of the Monkey King. “I knew a little about it, and I really loved how it was presented,” he said. He was also fascinated by the story of Zhang Guolao. “He looked very old and suddenly became young—it was magical. I was watching closely, and suddenly he changed—I don’t know how they did it.”

He added that the performance resonated with his long-standing interest in Eastern culture. “Since I was a child, I’ve always felt drawn to the East,” he said.

Ms. Panyukova said the performance had a profound inner impact on her. “I felt a very special energy,” she said. “It opened my mind and my heart. Chinese culture feels close to me.”

She emphasized the richness of that tradition. “It is an ancient and very rich culture,” she said. “There is so much to learn—so many talents and things we don’t yet know. We should learn from all of it.”

Mr. Bueno Bendicho said of Shen Yun, “This is something you have to feel for yourself, in every sense. The intensity—I haven’t stopped sweating the whole time, I’m overwhelmed.”

“Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!” Ms. Panyukova said.