VIENNA—Shen Yun Performing Arts, performing in Vienna for the fourth year, received greetings from Vienna’s political and societal establishment on its arrival in the Austrian capital.
Dr. Michael Haeupl, Vienna’s mayor and governor wrote, “As Vienna’s mayor, I am pleased that through the Shen Yun performance the Vienna people will gain insights into millennia of Chinese culture. With this in mind, I am pleased to welcome the artists to the Austrian capital and wish that they will have a successful performance tour.”
Mr. Andreas Mailath-Pokorny, Vienna’s Minister of Education and Culture, wrote, “I am greatly pleased that Shen Yun Performing Arts will perform once more at the Wiener Stathalle, as they bring to this city insights into China’s thousands-year-old culture.
“I wish Shen Yun great success for its Vienna 2011 performances, and at the same time, I wish the audience to come away deeply impressed by the artistic Shen Yun performance.”
Magistrate Franz Voves, governor of the Austrian state Steiermark, said, “Music and dance are outstanding ways to lift, express and strengthen the spirits. Also, the combination of sound and movement allows the human psyche to dream, enjoy and marvel.
“My deepest thanks are to the team that organized and brought this colorful show to Vienna. I wish for the many people that are drawn to this show an entertaining performance and much enjoyment with the musical trip through the Chinese culture.”
Dr. Josef Puhringer, governor and cultural attaché of Upper-Austria graciously sent the following greetings and welcoming wishes:
“Oriental culture fascinates, as well as brings much excitement to the Europeans. The Shen Yun performers provide an opportunity to step into a world of grace, perfection ... Furthermore, the show immerses itself into the thousands-year-old mysterious China.
“Culture knows no boundaries.
“For a country such as Austria, where culture holds much meaning, such a cultural exchange is of the utmost importance. It not only helps to bind new friendships, but is also instrumental to many in letting go of their fear of the unknown. In short, it breeds familiarity.
“The world’s great cultures, that is, Europe and Asia, at this time especially China, come closer through the Shen Yun performance.
“I wish you, the artists, welcome, as Upper-Austria’s cultural attaché. At the same time I wish the audience a great time and an eventful evening.”
Mr. Hans Niessl, governor of Austria’s Burgenland State spoke of the challenge to bring culture to Burgenland.
“In Burgenland, we are rather challenged. Therefore, I’m very pleased that the Austrian Falun Dafa Association has come forward and actively pursues a peaceful coexistence and that it promotes the principles of compassion and tolerance.”
Mr. Niessl also mentioned that Shen Yun, an internationally-renowned show, has visited Austria for the fourth time at the Wiener Stadthalle.
“This is because of the high quality of promotional activity by the Falun Dafa movement. I’m certain that the show will bring joy to the heart of its audience and that many people will take with them courage in their heart.”
“I wish all those in the audience, men and women alike, unforgettable and touching moments at the 2011 Shen Yun shows.
Andreas Molzer, member of the European Parliament, sent his well wishes and the hope that Shen Yun’s future would be bright.
“The Chinese culture, with its 5,000-year history, is truly uplifting and a cultural enrichment for today’s humans. Today, in this fast moving society, tradition has been pushed aside. Therefore, it is even more important that the world still has exceptional artists, such as the Shen Yun performers, that bring the traditional Chinese culture to the entire world.”
Ms. Alev Korun, head of the human rights commission in the Austrian National Assembly and the human rights spokesperson for the Green Party, said: “This group of performers is bringing classical Chinese dance and the diversity of the Chinese culture to its audience. Furthermore, they bring cultural rights, the right to be a part of the cultural life, which shows that cultural rights are one of the fundamentals of human rights. The diversity of cultural expression must be respected and promoted.
“Keeping this in mind, China, by having signed into ‘The Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expression,’ have accepted this legally-binding international agreement and assumed the obligation to abide by it. But, when addressing diversity, many nations have neglected to follow such dictates. Therefore, it is more so of the greatest importance for Shen Yun to continue with its efforts.”
Ms. Korun also wished the artists great success on their 2011 world tour and said she is greatly looking forward to the Vienna performance.
Dr. Walter Reicher, artistic director of the Haydn Eisenstadt performance, wrote: “We, who are involved in the Western music culture, are rather connected to the Vienna classical music, and so often will ignore the rich cultural tradition of China.”
For that reason, he expressed his deep pleasure “that Shen Yun Performing Arts has upheld this rich cultural heritage, namely, classical Chinese dance and music.”
He referred to Joseph Haydn who had once said, “My music is understood throughout the world.”
“Haydn’s words spoke the truth. Great art, which is presented with great fervor and professionalism, is something that is understood throughout the world. This show proves his point.”
Mr. Lien-gene, representative for Taipei in Austria, pointed out that Shen Yun, since it was formed in 2006, has performed worldwide.
“Their performance brings to the world the beauty of art, as well as truthfulness and compassion, while searching for freedom ... Therefore, they capture the hearts of all its audiences.
“We wish Shen Yun great success for its 2011 Vienna performances.”
Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will perform at the Wiener Stadthalle, May 1-4.
Reporting by Heide B. Malhotra.
Dr. Michael Haeupl, Vienna’s mayor and governor wrote, “As Vienna’s mayor, I am pleased that through the Shen Yun performance the Vienna people will gain insights into millennia of Chinese culture. With this in mind, I am pleased to welcome the artists to the Austrian capital and wish that they will have a successful performance tour.”
Mr. Andreas Mailath-Pokorny, Vienna’s Minister of Education and Culture, wrote, “I am greatly pleased that Shen Yun Performing Arts will perform once more at the Wiener Stathalle, as they bring to this city insights into China’s thousands-year-old culture.
“I wish Shen Yun great success for its Vienna 2011 performances, and at the same time, I wish the audience to come away deeply impressed by the artistic Shen Yun performance.”
Magistrate Franz Voves, governor of the Austrian state Steiermark, said, “Music and dance are outstanding ways to lift, express and strengthen the spirits. Also, the combination of sound and movement allows the human psyche to dream, enjoy and marvel.
“My deepest thanks are to the team that organized and brought this colorful show to Vienna. I wish for the many people that are drawn to this show an entertaining performance and much enjoyment with the musical trip through the Chinese culture.”
Dr. Josef Puhringer, governor and cultural attaché of Upper-Austria graciously sent the following greetings and welcoming wishes:
“Oriental culture fascinates, as well as brings much excitement to the Europeans. The Shen Yun performers provide an opportunity to step into a world of grace, perfection ... Furthermore, the show immerses itself into the thousands-year-old mysterious China.
“Culture knows no boundaries.
“For a country such as Austria, where culture holds much meaning, such a cultural exchange is of the utmost importance. It not only helps to bind new friendships, but is also instrumental to many in letting go of their fear of the unknown. In short, it breeds familiarity.
“The world’s great cultures, that is, Europe and Asia, at this time especially China, come closer through the Shen Yun performance.
“I wish you, the artists, welcome, as Upper-Austria’s cultural attaché. At the same time I wish the audience a great time and an eventful evening.”
Mr. Hans Niessl, governor of Austria’s Burgenland State spoke of the challenge to bring culture to Burgenland.
“In Burgenland, we are rather challenged. Therefore, I’m very pleased that the Austrian Falun Dafa Association has come forward and actively pursues a peaceful coexistence and that it promotes the principles of compassion and tolerance.”
Mr. Niessl also mentioned that Shen Yun, an internationally-renowned show, has visited Austria for the fourth time at the Wiener Stadthalle.
“This is because of the high quality of promotional activity by the Falun Dafa movement. I’m certain that the show will bring joy to the heart of its audience and that many people will take with them courage in their heart.”
“I wish all those in the audience, men and women alike, unforgettable and touching moments at the 2011 Shen Yun shows.
Andreas Molzer, member of the European Parliament, sent his well wishes and the hope that Shen Yun’s future would be bright.
“The Chinese culture, with its 5,000-year history, is truly uplifting and a cultural enrichment for today’s humans. Today, in this fast moving society, tradition has been pushed aside. Therefore, it is even more important that the world still has exceptional artists, such as the Shen Yun performers, that bring the traditional Chinese culture to the entire world.”
Ms. Alev Korun, head of the human rights commission in the Austrian National Assembly and the human rights spokesperson for the Green Party, said: “This group of performers is bringing classical Chinese dance and the diversity of the Chinese culture to its audience. Furthermore, they bring cultural rights, the right to be a part of the cultural life, which shows that cultural rights are one of the fundamentals of human rights. The diversity of cultural expression must be respected and promoted.
“Keeping this in mind, China, by having signed into ‘The Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expression,’ have accepted this legally-binding international agreement and assumed the obligation to abide by it. But, when addressing diversity, many nations have neglected to follow such dictates. Therefore, it is more so of the greatest importance for Shen Yun to continue with its efforts.”
Ms. Korun also wished the artists great success on their 2011 world tour and said she is greatly looking forward to the Vienna performance.
Dr. Walter Reicher, artistic director of the Haydn Eisenstadt performance, wrote: “We, who are involved in the Western music culture, are rather connected to the Vienna classical music, and so often will ignore the rich cultural tradition of China.”
For that reason, he expressed his deep pleasure “that Shen Yun Performing Arts has upheld this rich cultural heritage, namely, classical Chinese dance and music.”
He referred to Joseph Haydn who had once said, “My music is understood throughout the world.”
“Haydn’s words spoke the truth. Great art, which is presented with great fervor and professionalism, is something that is understood throughout the world. This show proves his point.”
Mr. Lien-gene, representative for Taipei in Austria, pointed out that Shen Yun, since it was formed in 2006, has performed worldwide.
“Their performance brings to the world the beauty of art, as well as truthfulness and compassion, while searching for freedom ... Therefore, they capture the hearts of all its audiences.
“We wish Shen Yun great success for its 2011 Vienna performances.”
Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will perform at the Wiener Stadthalle, May 1-4.
Reporting by Heide B. Malhotra.
