ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—From its divinely inspired nature to the vast diversity of dozens of regions and ethnic groups that once comprised China, Eric Russo and Anna Hopkins saw a side of China they hadn’t known of in Shen Yun Performing Arts.
“It’s a lot more diverse than I'd imagine. There’s a lot more connection to their religious beliefs that I was not aware of before or just hadn’t experienced. It’s nice to kind of see the previous world of China and what they find passionate and what they love,” said Mr. Russo, a lawyer, at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts. “It’s been really eye-opening.”
China, once known as the land of the divine, was indeed diverse, with the practices of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism coexisting simultaneously. But the Celestial Empire was held together by common spiritual values, such as the belief in harmony between heaven, earth, and humankind.
“They have a great mission. I think it’s important to let people know,” she said. Many people have only seen one side of China—communism, Ms. Hopkins said, and Shen Yun presented an entirely different China from that, one with 5,000 years of history.
“Upon researching this, I saw that it’s not even allowed to be shown in China. So it’s nice to have people know,” Ms. Hopkins said.
“It’s nice to have the politics removed from the restrictions of what they can show,” Mr. Russo added. “You’re seeing what the people really believe and, you know, what they hold in their heart, not what the government wants. So it’s nice to see that.”
“I loved it. The costumes incorporated with the dancing was just beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Ms. Hopkins said.
“It is all very cohesive and beautiful,” Mr. Russo said.
