SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

‘The Authenticity and Honesty’ in Shen Yun Touches the Soul in Troubled Times, Says Artist

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‘The Authenticity and Honesty’ in Shen Yun Touches the Soul in Troubled Times, Says Artist
Johannes Schwab attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at Forum am Schlosspark, Ludwigsburg, Germany, on Apr. 9, 2022. NTD
LUDWIGSBURG, Germany—Johannes Schwab had been unable to go out in public for two years because of the COVID pandemic, but when Shen Yun Performing Arts arrived at the Forum am Schlosspark in Ludwigsburg, Germany, a cloud lifted.
“I was very, very moved,” said Schwab. “We were very close to tears, we were so excited. [Shen Yun] was magnificent.” The day of the performance was Schwab’s first chance to attend a public event.
Through classical story-based dance and music, Shen Yun is reviving China’s authentic traditional culture to how it was in the pre-communist era.
As a freelance artist, Schwab recognized the work and expertise that had gone into a Shen Yun performance. He explained the features of the performance that touched him.

“Apart from the technical perfection, the artistic quality, above all the authenticity and the honesty, the pure life that was behind it—that very much touched the soul. And it is very, very good in times like these,” he said.

China’s traditional culture was divinely inspired, one where heavenly beings and earthly mortals co-existed peacefully.

“You can feel [the divine] in the choreography, in the whole production. There is no superficial showmanship. You notice the thousands of years of tradition and the knowledge of ancient wisdom and skill,” Schwab said.

Schwab explained that he was unfamiliar with Chinese traditional culture but that Shen Yun’s performance had been very vivid and would leave a long-lasting impression.

Some of Shen Yun’s dances tell a story that depicts moral or spiritual values, a historical event, a comical legend, or colorful scenes from China’s varying ethnic regions.

Schwab believed that values are more important now than ever. “In a way, they are eternal, like the divine moment. And that, I think, is embodied wonderfully by every single artist who has performed here today,” he said.

Schwab felt connected to the divine.“That is the nutrient of all art. I don’t exclude myself from that. Without divine inspiration, without modesty, without humility, nothing works,” he said.

He explained how his experience with Shen Yun would be inspiring his future artistic works.

“To be even more open, even more attentive, even more mindful, and to try to absorb everything that is nevertheless present in this world in terms of rich culture, and [to attempt to go beyond] the difficulties of this time,” Schwab said.

He connected with the energy emitted by Shen Yun performers.
“You can feel it, you can sense it—it doesn’t need many words at all. I can feel without words—the language of music, the language of movement, of colors. It is all one and it is eternal,” Schwab added.

Shen Yun Was ‘Truly Great’

Susanne Feix attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at Forum am Schlosspark, Ludwigsburg, Germany, on Apr. 9, 2022 (NTD)
Susanne Feix attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at Forum am Schlosspark, Ludwigsburg, Germany, on Apr. 9, 2022 NTD

Susanne Feix is an artist. She paints, works with glass, and is a dancer. Shen Yun was wonderful, she said.

“I can say that there were really moments where I was very touched.”

She enjoyed listening to Shen Yun’s vocalist and was enchanted by the erhu, China’s traditional 2-string violin.

“These two strings bring out such amazing music and variety of tones and depths and heights and expression. There was a great expressiveness in this playing—that touched me and [so did] the singer.”

She said song lyrics transmitted a message of faith. Ancient traditions are built on faith, said Feix, adding that there was more to life beyond this physical world.
She felt a strong connection to the divine after watching Shen Yun.

“And what is meant by that is, an energy of love. This divine energy is beauty. When you have experienced that … then you feel the divine. And that is actually beauty,” Feix shared.

“I think there are just a lot of people who also have faith. It was a performance in which spirituality and dance and everything came together, and beautiful colors and great dancers, amazing movements—it was truly great.”

She gained inspiration from Shen Yun that could be used in her future artistic endeavors.

“But I take [Shen Yun] with me as a beautiful, enriching experience.”

Reporting by NTD Television and Diane Cordemans.
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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