MIAMI—On Jan. 10, Emmy-award-winning singer-songwriter Marger Sealey attended Shen Yun’s evening show at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. She thoroughly enjoyed the program and was deeply moved by the artists’ message.
“It’s a show that we, Latinos and Spanish speakers, should watch not just because it’s important to educate ourselves and learn more about history to avoid repeating the same mistakes,” Ms. Sealey said.
“This show reminds us of our mission, and that life is fragile—things that we take for granted could be delicate. Through music, dance, and the staging, I can really connect with ancient China. I felt deeply moved. There were moments where I broke down emotionally.”
The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts was founded in 2006 by elite Chinese artists who had fled the persecution of the communist party.
Endowed with 5,000 years of history, China was once known as the “Land of the Divine.” For millennia, its people believed that by keeping their hearts pure and adhering to strict moral standards, they would be blessed by the divine.
Indeed, for 5,000 years the country prospered. However, after the communist takeover and its spread of atheism, all this traditional culture was systematically destroyed. Today, Shen Yun’s mission is to bring back the beauty and goodness of pre-communist China.
Ms. Sealey was deeply moved by Shen Yun’s story-based dance bringing attention to the ongoing persecution of people of faith by the communist regime in present-day China.
“The moments depicting the persecution—the lack of freedom to express oneself, the lack of empathy as a form of control—there was also a part where the manipulation of the media is evident, presenting something as perfect but everything’s orchestrated. There were many messages [in the show]: compassion, love, forgiveness, history, and the sad realities occurring in many of our countries,” she said.
“As a Venezuelan, I see a reflection of what we’re living through, which is perfectly portrayed in this work. Many people can come and see Shen Yun and by understanding what’s happening in China, see what’s happening in my country and other parts of Latin America.”
Ms. Sealey also loved the depiction of the divine in the performance and the beautiful music, stating that it brought her peace and made her feel relieved.
“I leave here with my heart and body relaxed. Music is healing—it heals the body and soul,” she added. “All the instruments and songs have a profound message. Congratulations—beautiful, truly beautiful.”
The message she will be bringing home with her is “to stay firm, to remain aware, and be awakened.”
“As a musician and artist, [traditional Chinese culture] reminded me of my true mission on this Earth. It reminded me that we are not separate—we are not disconnected from China or its culture. In the end, the divine and the earthly are not separate either. We are a unity.”
Tearing up with emotions, Ms. Sealey said she would like to “thank the entire Shen Yun company for their mission to raising awareness for love, education, and culture, and for offering their art, virtue, sacrifice, and effort in awakening the Western world.”
“As a Hispanic, I think we need to connect with Eastern culture. Its philosophies are very necessary and are within us as well. Sometimes, Western philosophies divide us, but we need to realize that we’re not separated—even though China seems geographically distant. It’s necessary and important to learn the history of every country and society because that’s the only way to avoid repeating [the same mistakes.]”
