TAICHUNG, Taiwan—TransWorld University Vice President Shen Chien-Hua drove all the way from Yunlin to Taichung to watch Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company’s performance on March 28. After watching the show, Mr. Shen had many thoughts about life.
A New York-based performing arts company, Shen Yun is dedicated to the revival of traditional Chinese culture and presents classical Chinese dance, music and song, short stories depicting Chinese myths and history, ethnic groups and divine realms.
After hearing one of the tenors sing, Mr. Shen said tears filled his eyes. “I have always liked the robustness of plum flowers and at one time wanted to plant a plum flower garden. I sang a similar song when I was a child. The scene of me singing as an innocent child appeared in my mind and at the same time the voice of the tenor touched my lost heart. At that moment I could not hold back my tears that just ran down my cheeks,” he said.
As the various pieces touched Mr. Shen’s heart, he said, “I would clap before the audience did. I felt that for a program as outstanding as Shen Yun, there cannot be enough applause.”
Mr. Shen said he got a lot of inspiration from the ancient stories: “Some of the pieces are for ordinary people and some are for gods. The people see pretty movements, superb skills and delicate scenes, but they may not awaken to anything more. The gods see the hidden elaboration and subtle deep meanings in the exquisite performance.”
Mr. Shen saw more than just fun in the program Joyful Little Monks. “The big monk picked up the little monk and swirled him around. But the minute he put him down, the little monk made him fall with only one pad. A person may look strong but he is in fact weak and someone may be deemed weak but may be strong in places you don’t see. Sometimes when we think we have the upper hand, we may lose,” he said.
Mr. Shen said that Shen Yun was exquisite and original in every way, “but it would be a pity if one simply looked at it as a fabulous show. The audience should reflect on the stories and improve themselves accordingly. This way the positive energy in the performance can be passed on,” suggested Mr. Shen.
Reporting by Li Da-Wei and Lin Hsin-Yi.
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will perform in seven cities in Taiwan until April 8 and then continue to top venues in Australia and New Zealand.
For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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