LOS ANGELES— Mr. Bruno Bondanelli, Architect and owner of Bondanelli Design Group, Inc. in Los Angeles, and Ms. CiCi Zhang, owner of a beauty salon and several other businesses, attended Friday evening’s showing of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.
“There was a silent power in the room tonight,” Mr. Bondanelli said. “It was very subtle but very, very powerful. We enjoyed it very much.”
For decades, and in its attempt to force atheism upon society, the Chinese Communist Party has launched numerous campaigns—most notably the Cultural Revolution—to destroy cultural sites, temples, ancient relics, and the Chinese people’s belief in virtue and faith in the divine.
According to Shen Yun’s website, “Shen Yun’s mini-drama pieces draw upon stories and legends that span China’s history from the Yellow Emperor and through the Tang and Song dynasties and all the way to the modern day.”
The performances draw upon China’s 5,000 years of uninterrupted history. According to the website, “This provides Shen Yun with vast source material, making it possible to revive this ancient culture on a present-day stage.”
Mr. Bondanelli was overcome by the show’s beauty and by the beauty of the performers. “I love the show,” he said. “I love the colors, the music, the dance. The Chinese girls are beautiful.
Ms. Zhang wished to share her impressions in her native tongue. “I can speak Chinese—Chinese is my first language,” she said.
After speaking to a bilingual reporter in Chinese, she said through translation, “I really love this. The music is very beautiful—very beautiful. Their dancing is all very powerful. The Chinese culture is the best in the world.”
According to Shen Yun’s website, “Whether set in the past or in contemporary China, every dance embodies traditional Chinese values. Ideals of loyalty, filial piety, and veneration for the divine are cherished and celebrated. Heroes are extolled for their compassion and tolerance as much as their courage or determination when facing adversity.”
Mr. Bondanelli said, “Go see this to learn more about the Chinese culture.”
Bravery for Revealing the Truth
“I think it’s really beautiful,” said Mr. Brandy Wheeler, a psychotherapist. “I think it’s really wonderful that this is being put on for everyone to see, and to see a variety of dance but also tell the story of China.”
“But more importantly, it’s fantastic to see people here that are out supporting Falun [Dafa]. And it’s really disturbing that in the year of 2013, that people are being persecuted for what it is that they believe in,” he added.
“I think this company’s very brave for coming here, because nobody ever should be persecuted for their beliefs and not be able to return to a country for putting on the arts for everybody.”
Reporting by Flora Ge, Mandy Huang and Robin Kemker.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s Touring Company is performing at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, through Jan. 27. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 21 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
