RIGA, Latvia—“This is a world-class performance, something we rarely see in Latvia,” said Tālavs Jundzis, expressing his heartfelt admiration after attending a Shen Yun show.
Mr. Jundzis is a distinguished Latvian politician, lawyer, and scholar. He served twice as the country’s minister of defence, was a member of the Supreme Council of Latvia, and held senior defence positions within the European Union.
On the evening of Jan. 6, Mr. Jundzis and his wife, Jautrīte Jundze, attended Shen Yun’s second performance at the Dailes Theatre in Riga, the capital of Latvia.
The theater was once again fully packed, and the audience responded with great enthusiasm. When the emcee introduced the vocalists and musicians at the end of the performance, waves of cheers and applause filled the hall.
The pure essence of classical Chinese dance, the vibrant ethnic and folk dances, the harmonious fusion of Eastern and Western music, and the rich historical and cultural depth presented in the performance deeply moved Mr. Jundzis, leaving him in awe.
Mr. Jundzis praised Shen Yun’s artistic achievements, recounting his own experiences with private “VIP-only” performances arranged by the Chinese Communist Party during his delegation’s visit to China. “While those performances were claimed to be of high quality, Shen Yun surpasses them in every way, with artistry that is truly transcendent,” he said.
He was particularly impressed by Shen Yun’s unique dynamic backdrop technology, which seamlessly extends the stage’s dimensions. “I loved the dynamic backdrop; it connects with the dance flawlessly,” he said.
Shen Yun’s mission to revive traditional Chinese culture from before the communist era struck a chord with him. “This is truly remarkable,” he noted. “History serves as the best guide; we can also reflect on the complex realities of contemporary China.”
Shen Yun delivers the traditional values of truth, compassion, and forbearance to audiences worldwide. Mr. Jundzis agreed, “Preserving these traditional values is very important, especially through such a high-caliber artistic form.”
The final scene of the performance, portraying the Creator saving humanity in times of peril, deeply moved him. “I think it was a very good ending, bringing everything together into unity. Truly uplifting,” he said.
His wife was equally inspired and shared her excitement: “My husband has already told me—we must bring our grandchildren next time!” She looked forward to Shen Yun’s return.
Mr. Jundzis expressed regret that Latvia hosted only three performances, saying, “I’m saddened there are only three shows in Latvia. I believe additional performances would also sell out.”
