LYON, France—Although figure skating champion Florent Amodio and his wife, Sofia, had been wanting to buy tickets to see Shen Yun Performing Arts for some time, and none were available, a simple act of kindness would allow them to finally see this long-awaited classical Chinese dance performance.
“Fate really worked out well,” Mrs. Amodio said. She found a camera on a bench during the week Shen Yun was in Lyon. “I did a little digging and, after hours and hours of searching, managed to track down the camera’s owner, who turned out to be Justina Wang,” the young woman recounts.
Justina Wang is a principal dancer with Shen Yun. “And they invited us to the show,” Mr. Amodio said. “It all started with a kind gesture that led to something truly exceptional.”
Accustomed to the demands of top-level competition—having won the European Championship and four French figure skating titles—Mr. Amodio closely observed the dancers’ performance: “It’s also a testament to the group’s quality […]—10, 15, or even 20 dancers rehearsing to perfection, down to the smallest detail, and every detail is flawless.”
A Thousand-Year-Old Artistic Tradition Brought Back to Life
At the heart of Shen Yun lies classical Chinese dance, an ancient art form with roots stretching back thousands of years. Like Western ballet, the art form is not limited to technique; it also relies on inner expression, codified movements, and the ability to embody characters or stories drawn from traditional Chinese culture.Mr. Amodio sees in this approach a level of demand comparable to that of elite sports: “There’s an athletic performance, but you have to show the audience that it’s easy […] we don’t focus on the athletic performance […] it’s all about the emotion that comes across.”
A Rich Emotional Journey
The show consists of a series of scenes, alternating between mythological tales, historical scenes, and contemporary stories. This variety keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.Mr. Amodio describes this emotional depth: “There are so many emotions … moments when you’re deeply moved, moments that are pretty funny, moments that are quite dramatic … you’re always on the edge of your seat throughout the entire show.”
A Perceptible Spiritual Dimension
Beyond the visual feast, the two performers said Shen Yun offers a deeper, spiritual dimension. The performance explores themes related to the divine, tradition, and the relationship between the heavens, Earth, and man.Mr. Amodio admits to having felt “this phenomenon—partly celestial, partly divine […] throughout the performance,” describing a narrative that transcends just the surface artistic framework.
His wife agreed: “Yes, that’s it—it’s divine art … you can see that divine beauty that Shen Yun strives to capture.”
A Harmony Between Dance and Music
Mrs. Amodio, who is also active in the world of figure skating, particularly appreciated what the live Shen Yun Orchestra added to the overall experience: “I was really pleasantly surprised by the connection between the dance and the music performed by the orchestra … it adds an even greater dimension to this show.”
A Message of Kindness and Universality
As Shen Yun unfolds, audiences around the world have expressed their appreciation for what they say is a message that transcends cultural differences: one of kindness and compassion.Mr. Amodio said he saw a real sense of cohesion among all the elements of the show: “It feels good […] everything comes together in perfect harmony.”
Mrs. Amodio agreed: “It was very kind.”
A Cultural Experience to Share
For Mr. Amodio, the power of what Shen Yun offers was also in its cultural dimension: “It’s essential to present shows that are rooted in a country’s history and created in that spirit.”He emphasized the accessibility of the performance, which is capable of reaching a wide audience, regardless of age or background: “Culturally speaking, it’s definitely a show worth seeing.”
Mrs. Amodio concluded on a personal note: “I’m so happy to have shared this moment with my sister and my husband, and to have had the chance to experience this dance today.”
In the end, their evening at Shen Yun will remain an unexpected interlude born of their simple act of kindness—an experience that, in their view, perfectly reflects the spirit of the show: “I have this philosophy of life: I believe that a good deed is met with a good deed in return. And I think people would get along better that way.”
