There’s a Sense of the Divine in Shen Yun, Says California Theatergoer
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Mark Turpin and his wife enjoyed Shen Yun's evening performance at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center on Jan. 27, 2024. Nan Su/The Epoch Times
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Project manager Mark Turpin first learned about Shen Yun Performing Arts a few years ago during a visit to San Francisco. However, it wasn’t until his wife purchased tickets for an evening performance to celebrate his birthday that he got to see the show.
At the end of the show on Jan. 27 at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, Mr. Turpin gave his verdict that “it’s beautiful.”
“I loved it. The colors were striking, the talent—there’s a sense of the divine. I think it goes beyond Chinese culture,” he added.
“It goes into a human existence that is particularly appreciated right now in a world that is so divisive. This is a good awareness of our humanity as brothers and sisters and that we should have a better reverence for life in general.”
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.
For 5,000 years, China’s civilization flourished under the shared belief that the divine will bless those who uphold traditional moral values. Tragically, within just a few decades of the communist party’s violent takeover, these beliefs were erased and replaced with atheism.
Shen Yun artists aim to bring the glory and beauty of China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture back to the world stage. Additionally, they seek to raise global awareness about ongoing human rights issues in modern-day China.
Referring to the performers’ mission, Mr. Turpin said he “appreciates the awareness they’re bringing through song and dance.”
“For a long time, we’ve known that freedom is not freedom in communist China, in any kind of communist regime. I think it’s important for us to have an awareness and to support where we can,” he expressed.
“The truth is what liberates. So, I appreciate [the artists’] efforts in spreading that word and their struggle for freedom.”
Blane Christian (L) attended Shen Yun's evening performance at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center on Jan. 27, 2024. Nan Su/The Epoch Times
Senior engineer Blane Christian loved Shen Yun’s artistry and dance, too. He thought the show’s message was interesting and poignant.
“China is very interesting, and a lot of people don’t understand that. Having lived there, I don’t think people understand how Chinese people are,” he stated.
The traditional Chinese culture portrayed on stage evoked many memories from Mr. Christian’s time living in Shanghai. He understood, on a deep level, what the artists are presenting to the world.
“We see too much of the government and the politics of it. We don’t see the people. The people that I’ve met and were friends with were amazing—generous, kind people. Yet, they were fearful of expressing who they are because of the [communist] regime,” he explained.
“Having spent so much time there and learning that people are people, I feel a personal connection to what a lot of this that’s going on. I always love to see Chinese art because of my experiences of being there.”
For its 2024 touring season, Shen Yun’s eight equally-sized companies will be performing in over 200 cities across five continents.
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