Ontario MPP Sheref Sabawy at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ont., on March 25, 2022. (NTD)
MISSISSAUGA, Canada—Ontario member of provincial parliament (MPP) Sheref Sabawy was so impressed with Shen Yun Performing Arts after seeing its performance at the Living Arts Centre that he said he'll come back the next day to see it again.
“The beauty of the color and the beauty of the music is amazing. ... The synchronization, the rhythm. ... It’s amazing,” Mr. Sabawy said at the theatre on March 25. “I’m so impressed.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun is a classical Chinese dance and music company that showcases an all-new program around the world every year in carrying out its mission to revive the rich traditional culture of China.
Mr. Sabawy said Shen Yun allows Canadians to learn more about the Chinese culture and is something Canada’s Chinese community can take pride in.
“[It allows Chinese-Canadians] to be proud of their culture,” he said.
Ontario MPP Rudy Cuzzetto and his wife, Marie, at the Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ont., on March 25, 2022. (Kisa Ou/The Epoch Times)
Fellow MPP Rudy Cuzzetto was delighted to see Shen Yun, saying that the production elevates the spirit.
“Your spirit does elevate once you watch this performance,” he said.
Mr. Cuzzetto added that it’s a pity Shen Yun can’t perform in China and the Chinese people can’t see the performance live.
“It’s unfortunate that they can’t perform in China, which would be great for the Chinese community to see how talented [Shen Yun’s dancers] are,” he said.
Shen Yun’s website explains that the company’s mission “is to use performing arts to revive the essence of Chinese culture—traditionally considered a divinely inspired civilization.”
However, since the current communist regime in China is “officially an atheist regime, it is afraid of the freedom of expression this arts company enjoys in the West,” the website says.
“I wish they would be able ... to see this, because even at the ... scene where the young lady was dead, and she came back to life, that is so spiritual, and there’s no words to say anything here at this present time,” Mr. Cuzzetto said.
His comments were in reference to the dance story “Insanity During the End of Days,” which shows organ harvesting by the Chinese communist regime from adherents of the Falun Gong spiritual practice in today’s China.
Reflecting on Shen Yun’s portrayal of Chinese history and culture, Mr. Cuzzetto said it’s important to be aware of the past.
“You always have to go backward to go forward,” he said. “It’s always good to look at the past, and improve going forward in the future, to make things much better.”
Mr. Cuzzetto said he'd like to tell others to come and see Shen Yun.
“It’s outstanding,” he said. “The talent is unbelievable.”
Shen Yun Performing Arts Global Company's curtain call at the Living Arts Centre, Mississauga, on March 25, 2022. (The Epoch Times)
