WASHINGTON—As a Chinese-American who came to the United States when she was 4 years old, Pui Wan takes every opportunity to learn about her cultural roots; she said there was no better place to appreciate her heritage than at Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Ms. Wan attended the Feb. 2 performance at Kennedy Center Opera House and said it was the best depiction of traditional Chinese culture she had ever seen.
“Shen Yun would be the best [show] out of all of them,” she said. “It’s more professional than the ones I’ve seen—Shen Yun really outshines them all, especially the dedication that each of the dancers and the orchestra puts in, and the soloists; Shen Yun is among the best.”
Ms. Wan attended the performance for the second time in as many years and said the production was incredible.
“It touched my heart,” she said. “My culture is from China, so I came back this year—again it was wonderful.”
“The performance was incredible, it was fantastic, the costumes, were magnificent—it was just really amazing.”
New York-based Shen Yun is a world-renowned classical Chinese dance and music company, which aims to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture.
The performance features a collection of story-based classical and ethnic or folk dance, as well as an orchestra incorporating traditional Chinese instruments, digitally animated backdrops, and vocal soloists. Each performance aims to embody traditional Chinese values and beliefs.
“It reminds me of my culture, the language, the heritage, everything,” said Ms. Wan.
“It’s just really touching—because of my parents and their traditional views I can understand it very well.”
According to the Shen Yun website, traditional Chinese ideals such as loyalty, filial piety, and veneration for the divine originate from China’s philosophical pillars of Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism.
Pianist Karen Mahler was also at the Feb. 2 performance and said it was “a wonderful introduction to Chinese culture through the arts.”
“It was absolutely beautiful, very professional, very well done and executed so beautifully—so delightful.”
Ms. Mahler added the passion for the culture exuded from each artist.
“All the performers seemed dedicated to every piece and performance. Not just their performance and dancing, but there seemed to be a conviction inside all of the dancers. It really came through,” she said.
“The orchestra, the music, the choreography, all of it was very beautiful.”
Reporting by Matthew Robertson and Justina Wheale.
Shen Yun Performing Arts will be travelling to Auckland for evening performances on the Feb. 8 and 9 at the Civic Centre before returning to Sydney for performances on Feb.11 to 12.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 21 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
