SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Czech Couple Supports Shen Yun Performing Arts: ‘We Loved It’

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Czech Couple Supports Shen Yun Performing Arts: ‘We Loved It’
Karel and Lilia Janecek attend the Shen Yun Performing Arts matinee at Eventim Apollo in London, U.K., on Jan. 27, 2024. Mary Mann/The Epoch Times

LONDON, UK—Shen Yun Performing Arts performed a matinee at Eventim Apollo in London on Jan. 27 to a welcoming audience.

Karel and Lilia Janecek came to the performance, and Mrs. Janecek said it was emotional. “We loved it. I know it to be truth,” she said.

Mr. Janecek, whose family is Czech, said it was a great experience. He said he has supported Shen Yun since it began. He anticipates Shen Yun coming to the Czech Republic in March. “We will be there. I will see you there with my daughter and my small son. Especially looking forward to seeing this.”

With shows scheduled in over 200 cities and across five continents, the 2024 touring season is shaping up to be the artists’ busiest yet.
Mr. Janecek said he knew about communism when it invaded his country. “We lived in the communist time, so I could experience it. I know what’s really behind it, how much [there is] of a loss of freedom—no freedom, a big problem of dictatorship.

“Nevertheless, I would like to say that today, we are in a crisis situation. And we are facing the risk of coming back to some kind of similar dictatorship and a loss of freedom, which was communist. What is happening is really dangerous for Western countries, and that is the loss of freedom,” he said.

“The song of creationist versus evolutionist theory is quite strong,” Mrs. Janecek said. “I personally believe in God,” she said, “so it makes sense. I think faith is important and is essential for a human being.”

Mr. Janecek praised the performers: “I would like to thank the performers for their great physical [stamina]. I do some gymnastics, and I can understand how well they are physically prepared and what they can do as sports people.”
Mrs. Janecek liked the entire performance. “Thank you. It was a lovely experience. Lovely experience.”

Shen Yun ‘Feels Like a Complete Journey’

Gareth and Lisa Noble attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts matinee at Eventim Apollo in London, U.K., on Jan. 27, 2024. (Mary Mann/The Epoch Times)
Gareth and Lisa Noble attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts matinee at Eventim Apollo in London, U.K., on Jan. 27, 2024. Mary Mann/The Epoch Times
Gareth Noble and his wife, Lisa, enjoyed the performance immensely. “Fantastic to see these traditions being performed in this way. It’s just breathtaking.”

Mr. Noble, a deputy director of Workforce, NHS, liked the 3D animated backdrop. “Fantastic!” Mrs. Noble was also amazed. “I’ve never seen anything like that before,” she said.

The stories take the audience on an exploration of 5,000 years of Chinese history before communism, Mr. Noble said. “It feels like a complete journey. It’s fantastic.”

Mrs. Noble felt a deep spiritual connection with the message that the Creator has come to save humanity. “It’s very spiritual,” she said.

“Very, very moving,” Mr. Noble said.

The Nobles shared their thoughts with the performers. Mrs. Noble said: “Thank you for giving such a fabulous performance. We’ve just enjoyed it immensely.”

“Forms are absolutely fantastic. The training that was going to get to that—I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Mr. Noble.

Salvation With Forgiveness Impresses Corporate Banker

Miroslav and Alina Unipan attended a Shen Yun Performing Arts matinee with their children at Eventim Apollo in London, U.K., on Jan. 27, 2024. (Mary Mann/The Epoch Times)
Miroslav and Alina Unipan attended a Shen Yun Performing Arts matinee with their children at Eventim Apollo in London, U.K., on Jan. 27, 2024. Mary Mann/The Epoch Times
A banker, Miroslav Unipan, saw Shen Yun with his wife, Alina, and their daughter and said: “It’s very hard to describe in words. I feel amazing, honestly.”

Mrs. Unipan, a doctor, had deep feelings. “It’s actually quite emotional at the end,” she said.

It wasn’t what I expected,” Mr. Unipan said. “It was much better.”

“We actually came because my daughter, who is eight today, wanted this for her birthday,” said Mrs. Unipan. She said Shen Yun made her daughter’s birthday a day to remember. “You made it very special for us.”

Mr. Unipan, who grew up in Australia, said the story of the Monkey King caught his eye. “I grew up on those stories.” He especially liked the spiritual journey Shen Yun takes the audience on. “The journey of spirituality and truthfulness and the oppression; it was interesting.”
Through classical Chinese dance and music, Shen Yun is sharing with the world the beauty of China’s authentic 5,000 years of history. Since its founding in 2006, the company has received worldwide accolades for its mission to revive traditional Chinese culture.
Mr. Unipan said there should be no persecution of one’s beliefs. “It doesn’t really matter if it’s China, Europe, America: It’s all very similar, but just different journeys.”

He said tradition is needed to build future societies. “You have to accept that things that we’ve learned in the past have helped us to get here. I think there needs to be a balance between how we arrived here and how tradition can help build future societies.”

In the final section, Mr. Unipan liked the theme of how humanity was in danger in the last dance piece. “I like particularly the forgiveness at the end.”

Reporting by Mary Mann and Yvonne Marcotte.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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