CHIAYI, Taiwan—Tickets sold out quickly to see Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company’s 2012 debut in Chiayi on the evening of April 3.
Among those attending the world-renowned performance was Mr. Wu Fang-Ming, director-general of the Cultural and Tourism Bureau in Chiayi County. After seeing the New York-based presentation, he exclaimed that Shen Yun was “amazing! Wonderful!”
Mr. Wu expressed that Shen Yun’s interpretation of the essence of the 5,000-year Chinese culture, through the artistic form of Chinese classical dance and bel canto, was outstanding and an appealing approach. “Shen Yun attracted so many audience members today and received so much applause,” he said. “It fully demonstrates that Shen Yun Performing Arts is very popular.”
Mr. Wu also emphasized that the content of the programs performed by Shen Yun “was so close to our daily lives that not only can it be easily understood and accepted by people, but it can also help enhance the audience’s cultural standard.”
He said Shen Yun used a simple approach to depict the various legendary stories in China’s 5,000-year-old civilization. “It is of much help to the enhancement and promotion of culture in Chiayi County,” Mr. Wu added.
When it came to the dance Joyful Little Monks, Mr. Wu said, “I think it conveys the essence of happiness. As human life is limited, how to create unlimited possibilities of expanding our lives is a very important issue. It is also a very important goal.”
Talking about setting goals, Mr. Wu enlightened from his own perspective. He explained, “Human beings should pursue happiness. We may seek solace in religion, or have fun from seeing performing arts, dances or other artistic performances to expand our horizons and enrich our lives.”
He also noted that a couple of sketches described the fact that Falun Gong practitioners in China were being persecuted under Chinese communist rule, yet they are still steadfast in their spiritual beliefs. “Democracy and human rights are universal values,” Mr. Wu said. “This kind of performing arts can arouse people’s awareness in this regard.”
Finally, Mr. Wu recommended Shen Yun for those who haven’t seen a performance before. “I would like to urge all those who haven’t attended Shen Yun performance to grasp the opportunity of Shen Yun’s annual world tour to gain more insight into Chinese civilization and gain some fun from it as well.”
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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