MONTREAL—William Thomas, a retired corporate executive, said that he “was invigorated” after watching Shen Yun at Montreal’s Place de Arts on April 12.
Shen Yun Performing Arts is a New York-based
classical Chinese dance company. Through the universal language of dance and music, Shen Yun tells the world a very different China before communism. Shen Yun strives to revive the traditional Chinese culture and values, which have been destroyed by the Chinese communist party.
One of Mr. Thomas’s favorite pieces is the dance drama that tells a story of how “the discovery of Buddhism helped the gentleman who was in distress about killing in the war, and [how] he found himself in a different way.”
“I enjoyed the stories, simple stories, but they have a very powerful meaning, the redemption of God.” Mr. Thomas said, “The power of Buddhism [
in China], before communism, I think was very important. They went through different religions, and they all serve the purpose over time.”
At the heart of Shen Yun performances is
classical Chinese dance, a comprehensive dance system developed through centuries of refinement. It embodies traditional aesthetic principles with unique dance movements, rhythm, and inner meaning. It is one of the world’s most athletic and expressive art forms.
“I learned a lot about Chinese dance, and the power of dance to communicate.” Mr. Thomas said.
Thomas said that
the dance made him feel very happy, because “all the bad people were overcome, and the good people always won at the end.”
He thought that the fundamental value of “good over evil came through very strong.”
Mr. Thomas loved Shen Yun’s depiction of China before communism, he said, “It looked like a very simple life. I think it’s glorified, but it was a simpler life back then, more agricultural, markets, restaurants ... like today, without all the anger.”
Mr. Thomas would recommend the show to everyone, especially to the younger generation. “I think the young people, especially, will get a better understanding for what China is or where it came from. They hear about it, but they don’t see it this way.”
To the
Shen Yun artists, Mr. Thomas wished to say, “Keep going. Keep doing it. I think the world needs to see this show.”
Reporting by Donna Liang and Sophia Fang.
