SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Begins Tour of Taiwan With 4 Sold-Out Performances in Kaohsiung

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Shen Yun Begins Tour of Taiwan With 4 Sold-Out Performances in Kaohsiung
Wu Hung-chang at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Weiwuying Opera House on March 28, 2024. Annie Gong/The Epoch Times

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan—Shen Yun Performing Arts began its tour of Taiwan on March 26 and has concluded four performances to sold-out audiences at Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President and President-elect Lai Ching-te sent flower baskets to congratulate Shen Yun on its successful performance.

Choir director Wu Hung-chang saw Shen Yun on the afternoon of March 28. He wanted to express his admiration and appreciation for Shen Yun’s artistic director, D.F.

“I am very grateful to the Artistic Director of Shen Yun. Your vision has benefited humanity. I hope that the spirit of Shen Yun will continue to flourish and illuminate the entire universe, shining light into the dark places,” said Mr. Wu, director of the Taiwan Choir.

He added that seeing Shen Yun gave him a good feeling throughout his body.

“Everything you want to appreciate in art is [in Shen Yun]. During the program, I could feel a positive energy entering my blood circulation,” said Mr. Wu.

Shen Yun is based in New York, and its mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese culture.

“Shen Yun integrates the entire Chinese culture, and it tells short, concise, and powerful stories through the dedication of all the dancers. Their professionalism gives people new surprises every year, and each year’s feeling is different,” said Mr. Wu.

Since 2006, Shen Yun has grown from one to eight companies touring the world simultaneously.

“Year after year, one generation after another, Shen Yun’s artists continue to pass on the baton. It’s not easy for today’s young people to work so hard. They must have endured a lot of hardship. The dedication [of] Shen Yun is worth emulating,” praised Mr. Wu.

Liu Te-lin at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Weiwuying Opera House on March 27, 2024. (Annie Gong/The Epoch Times)
Liu Te-lin at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Weiwuying Opera House on March 27, 2024. Annie Gong/The Epoch Times

Liu Te-lin Kaohsiung’s city councilor saw Shen Yun during the afternoon of March 27. He shared that his impression of Shen Yun has grown after seeing it year after year.

Shen Yun’s dancers are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most athletic and technically demanding dance systems.

“Every rhythm and movement allows us to feel the link between heaven, earth, humanity, and the divine. It left me with a profoundly inspiring feeling,” praised Mr. Liu.

Classical Chinese dance allows the female dancers to shine with grace and femininity while the male dancers are masculine and majestic.

Mr. Liu expressed that he appreciated “the gestures and movements of Shen Yun performers, the softness and resilience of the women, and the strength and beauty displayed by men.”

He found the entire production to be the result of great cooperation between each team in the performance.

“The combination of Shen Yun’s stage and backdrop, along with the large orchestra, allowed each movement of the dancers to be precisely executed. It is truly remarkable,” said Mr. Liu.

Chien Chih-Hsien at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Weiwuying Opera House on March 27, 2024. (Annie Gong/The Epoch Times)
Chien Chih-Hsien at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Weiwuying Opera House on March 27, 2024. Annie Gong/The Epoch Times

Chien Chih-Hsien , the former music director of the Original Baroque Orchestra, attended Shen Yun on March 27.

As someone with an extensive background in music, Mr. Chien expressed: “Shen Yun is beyond my expectations ... The combination of music and dance, along with the animated backdrops, was unexpected and delightful.”

He recognized the work behind achieving such a level of artistry.

“Their requirements for dance and music are very meticulous, and sound was also very refined,” said Mr. Chien.

Shen Yun’s orchestra combines music of the East and West. Traditional Chinese instruments like the pipa and erhu are highlighted within a classic Western ensemble.

“The sound achieved between the erhu and the orchestra is rare ... Being able to produce so many timbres, and coordinating with so many dancers to create so many subtle variations, really surprised me. It’s fantastic,” praised Mr. Chien.

He shared that he never thought such storytelling could be achieved without the use of spoken words. Shen Yun has given him inspiration for his future projects.

“I never thought that such a presentation could be done without words. I will have new ideas for my future creative plans,” said Mr. Chien.

Reporting by Annie Gong and Maria Han
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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