OTTAWA, Canada—Shen Yun Performing Arts received a very warm welcome from the audience when it appeared at the National Arts Centre on April 19 and 20.

The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Edith Dumont, presented Shen Yun with a proclamation and enjoyed a performance on Easter Sunday.

“It is my first time, and it was absolutely beautiful,” Ms. Dumont said. “I did learn a lot about [Chinese] history.”

“I heard such great things and [Shen Yun] has not disappointed. I’ve absolutely enjoyed every minute,” said Melissa Schilf, a retired federal parole officer.

“It’s nice seeing the [Chinese] culture being presented in such a wonderful way,” said attorney James Harbic.

“It’s beautiful. The music is so profound, and it goes so well with the performance behind all of the artists,” she said.

Golf course owner Glen Costell said, “It’s beautiful to watch.”

Wayne Bishop, a government manager, said, “It’s a great cultural expression of Chinese art and storytelling and history. I think anyone would love this production, actually.”

“I really think that they really put their heart and soul into it,” said retired engineer Annette Patel. “I think it was amazing. The fact that it changes over every year is really something else as well.”

“It’s actually very enlightening. Most don’t recognize ‘China before communism,’” Mr. Goddard, a manager for a union, said. “They have absolutely no idea that there even was a China before communism. So this is quite enlightening, especially for the people in our society.”

Shen Yun tells stories from 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. Once called the “Land of the Divine,” China has a richly spiritual culture reflected in its fables and history.

“I think this is a great message to be sharing,” he said. “I think if they continue to perform and get their message out, that starts to resonate with people and that message will continue to get out as long as they continue to perform.”

Among the stories Shen Yun depicts in dance is one of the persecution and suppression of spiritual believers. Chela Breckon, a business owner and consultant, was moved by the message.

“I was deeply moved [by] this performance tonight [and by] the story of people facing persecution, oppression,” Ms. Breckon said. “And yet the beauty of family, culture, and tradition can overcome all of these things.”

Retired banker Michael Adams said, “It’s the happy ending to that particular piece that gives us all hope, [even] when there’s violence and persecution. There’s still hope that someday, we can find our way through it to a happier time.”

There are still opportunities to see Shen Yun in the Ottawa area, including Albany/Schenectady in April.