ROME—After a six-year hiatus, Shen Yun Performing Arts returned to the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, a venue of great prestige and influence in the world of opera.
On Feb. 1, 2025, Shen Yun captivated an audience of local dignitaries and cultural elites. All six performances in Rome had sold out three months in advance.
In recognition of Shen Yun’s artistry, the City of Rome honored the performers with the Rome Birthday Commemorative Medal, an esteemed gift created annually to celebrate the city’s founding—a symbol of Rome’s rich history and cultural legacy.
“It is an extraordinary performance!” Mr. Terzi said. “It is more than just a feast for the senses—the feeling, the heart, you understand, it is inside! It’s inside this great work of art.”
Describing the performance as “deeply touching,” Terzi emphasized its profound “message of freedom.”
“The performance also delivers a powerful message of freedom—an encouragement to break free from the constraints, dangers, and tragedies of today’s world,” he said.
He noted that it inspires a strong sense of willpower and an understanding of something beyond the physical realm—something spiritual, rooted in the “world of faith and inner strength.”
‘It Will Calm Your Soul’
Rome City Councilor Federico Rocca received authorization from the mayor to present the medal to Shen Yun on behalf of the City of Rome.
Highlighting the significance of Shen Yun in preserving and sharing traditional spiritual values, Mr. Rocca said there was a need for such performances in today’s world.
“We need performances like this. Shen Yun brings positive energy, hope, and the ideal of peaceful coexistence. I believe this show is beneficial for the world today because, from my perspective, our society has become materialistic,” he said.
He believes the performance serves as a vital “reminder” of the importance of tradition.
When recommending Shen Yun to others, Rocca would simply say: “Come and watch Shen Yun! It will calm your soul.”
Mr. Lorenzo Pinelli and Ms. Ylenia Citino were deeply moved by the beauty of traditional Chinese culture presented in Shen Yun.
Mr. Pinelli is an Italian diplomat, and Ms. Citino serves as a political affairs advisor for the Italy-USA Foundation.
“This was an extraordinary performance—absolutely stunning! I have never seen anything like it before, and I truly loved it,” Mr. Pinelli said.
“We often associate these dance elements with Western culture, yet in reality, they originate from a Chinese tradition that spans thousands of years—something we still know very little about.”
Ms. Citino described experiencing a mix of emotions while watching Shen Yun.
“I felt both joyful and amazed because I learned so much that I wasn’t aware of before. I also look forward to seeing how this performance continues to grow globally,” she said.
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive the lost traditions of Chinese culture. Mr. Pinelli acknowledged this effort, saying, “Without a doubt, they are succeeding.”
“What I find particularly interesting is how the performance incorporates contemporary themes and even some Western cultural elements, making traditional culture feel more dynamic and alive,” he added.
“It’s a pity, and we feel sorry for it. We value freedom of speech and thought, and we don’t like to see people in some countries deprived of the opportunity to experience this remarkable performance.”
Mr. Aprile attended the Shen Yun performance with his wife, Roberta Zara, and felt the performance “conveyed the true essence of Chinese culture.”
Mr. Aprile was elected as a national councilor of the Italian Confcooperative Sanità, the Rome-based national confederation of cooperatives in the health sector, and also serves as vice president of Confcooperative Ragusa, a city in southern Italy.
Ms. Zara said, “The performance was truly beautiful!”
“Absolutely mesmerizing. The first half alone moved me deeply—it was spectacular! The choreography was outstanding, and the entire performance was beautiful,” she said.
Mr. Aprile echoed his wife’s sentiments, adding, “This was my first time experiencing classical Chinese dance—I had never seen anything like it before.”
Both of them felt the profound cultural significance of the performance and the importance of reviving tradition.
“We don’t know much about Chinese culture; it has always felt distant from us. But this performance truly conveyed its authentic essence,” Mr. Aprile said.
Speaking about the traditional values expressed in the performance, Mr. Aprile particularly highlighted the tenor’s singing.
“His voice reminded me of China’s ancient culture—the traditional heritage before the [Chinese communist] regime took over. It was deeply inspiring,” he said.
He also expressed regret upon learning that Shen Yun cannot perform in China.
“It is truly unfortunate that this show is not allowed to be staged in China. Beyond the stunning set designs, we also gained insight into the opposition against the [Chinese communist] regime and its persecution.”
“They are absolutely extraordinary. Their movements are perfectly synchronized—it must take immense effort behind the scenes,” Ms. Zara said as her husband nodded in agreement.
“They are truly exceptional!” Mr. Aprile added.
