He gushed, “I feel that as someone of the Chinese ethnicity, Shen Yun gave me a sense of pride for our ancient culture. It let us know more deeply Chinese history and culture. For people who did not come, you might have missed a wonderful opportunity. You should go see it if you know where Shen Yun is going.”
(Minghui.org) Shen Yun Performing Arts embarked on its month long tour in Taiwan at the Tainan Municipal Cultural Center on February 21, charming the locals with authentic Chinese culture via classical dance and music.
Shen Yun International Company put on five sold-out shows in Tainan from February 21 to 23, followed by another five full-house performances at the National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall in Taipei from February 25 to 27. The month long tour will cover 37 shows in the seven largest cities of Taiwan.
Shen Yun performed in Taiwan for the eighth time. It has become one of the most celebrated annual performing arts events there.
Shen Yun: “Top International Artistic Performance” and a “Rarity”
Former Premier Yu Shyi-kun enjoys Shen Yun at the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall on February 25.
Yu Shyi-kun, former premier and one of the 2014 year-end New Taipei Special Municipality mayoral election hopefuls, attended the Shen Yun performance in Taipei on the evening of February 25.
Mr. Yu expressed that the dances performed by Shen Yun’s International Company were exquisite. He also praised Shen Yun’s successful demonstration of historic legends by synchronization of cultural arts and high-tech animated digital backdrops. He exclaimed, “It can be called a top international artistic performance.”
Gu Yaren, an oil painter that expresses oriental culture with Western painting skills, was impressed with the exquisite performance and described Shen Yun as a rarity.
“Shen Yun is a way to present traditional Chinese culture on stage. Chinese people talk about dance principles of hand gestures, eye contact, bearing, step movements, and a large-scale performance like Shen Yun presents such subtlety. For example, their costumes are well-made, and the Han couture presents a particular elegance.”
“The colors are also vibrant and varied, very special. In addition, traditional arts are connected with modern acoustic and visual effects. The performance should be recommended to many. If possible, everyone should come to the exceptional show,” he said.
“There’s a feeling of comfort, gentleness, and warmth. For some unknown reason, I feel a sense of serenity and comfort, as if I were purified,” he said.
Mr. Gu was very impressed with the opening program. He said, “From the opening scene, it is very impressive. We descend down through the cosmos; people are very small. I sense the vastness of the cosmos. The thinking pattern of many modern people is indeed too simplistic. If we can think outside the box and broaden our horizons, we will find that many things, like war, are unnecessary. In fact we should go back to the state of peacefulness.”
Mr. Gu concluded by describing Shen Yun as “Heaven on Earth.”
Perfect Blend of East and West, Yin and Yang
Rodney Winther, Professor of Music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Guest Professor for the music department of Shih Chien University in Taiwan
Rodney Winther, Professor of Music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Guest Professor for the music department of Shih Chien University in Taiwan, is also a world-class wind master and conductor. Dr. Winther attended the performance in Taipei on February 27. He was amazed by the beauty of Shen Yun and called it, “Amazing!”
He praised the composition and performance of Shen Yun’s music. The unique sounds of the eastern instruments accompanied by the western music highlighted the dance performance.
He also noticed that the Yin and Yang in Chinese culture do not simply show in the performance of the instruments, but also in Shen Yun’s dance. It makes people feel quiet and peaceful, but also has parts that invoke strong, masculine feelings.
Values Presented by Shen Yun Are Significant in Modern Society
President of the Board of the international brand “Li Shin Jewelery,” Yang Liqin, was touched by the authentic Chinese culture portrayed by Shen Yun
President of the Board of Li Shin Jewelery, Yang Liqin, watched Shen Yun in Tainan on February 23. She said, “Shen Yun lets the world see the depth of Chinese culture and the preciousness of authentic culture.” She thought that Shen Yun is reminding people that this culture is a treasure, and it makes people feel proud because that treasure is right next to them.
Ms. Yang expressed her admiration for Shen Yun, “Shen Yun expressed ‘hope’, and ‘great compassion and love.’ There are many tribulations in the human world. But the gods are telling us that as long as we keep a compassionate thought, there will be hope.” She said, “I truly feel that Shen Yun is waking up people’s hearts and letting people know that they have a mission here.”
She added, “When you are touched by Shen Yun at this moment, your life has changed. Every day you will have joy, and your life will be enriched at this moment.”
Former Mayor of Tainan, Shi Zhiming, praised the cultural and spiritual treasure of Shen Yun
Former Mayor of Tainan, Shi Zhiming, watched the last performance in Tainan on February 23. He was deeply touched and inspired, “Shen Yun is the treasure that created our hearts. It is something that all Chinese have to see. After watching Shen Yun, you will have a warm heart back.”
He said, “I felt my heart was cleansed and emptied, and I do not need to fight with others for everything again… The entire Chinese population has to see it. Shen Yun has created the greatest treasure for the mind.”
Professor at Taipei College of Technology, Wu Meili (left) thought watching Shen Yun was “a pursuit of happiness”
Wu Meili, a professor of life resources at Taipei College of Technology, thought watching Shen Yun was “a pursuit of happiness. I feel very lucky to have this kind of enjoyment.” She said, “The programs of Shen Yun are very closely tied. Every dancer is very skilled and top notch. Their movements are in unison and their techniques and postures are very beautiful. It shows the elegance of Chinese culture.”
Chen Liying, professor of Chung-Hua Institute for Economic Research
Chen Liying, professor of Chung-Hua Institute for Economic Research, admired how Shen Yun uses art to present five thousand years of Chinese civilization. She lauded the technique and skill of the dancers and costume designers, and believed that “it’s worthy of being promoted to the world.”
She praised the traditional values such as benevolence, honor, etiquette, sincerity, and wisdom and respect for the heavens that were reflected by Shen Yun.
Department of Transportation official Cai Jiachun believed that Shen Yun is the pride of the Chinese people and also a presentation of five thousand years of Chinese culture
Department of Transportation official Cai Jiachun had longed to see Shen Yun. He finally had the chance to do so in the evening of February 22. He believes that Shen Yun is the pride of the Chinese people and also the presentation of five thousand years of Chinese culture.
He gushed, “I feel that as someone of the Chinese ethnicity, Shen Yun gave me a sense of pride for our ancient culture. It let us know more deeply Chinese history and culture. For people who did not come, you might have missed a wonderful opportunity. You should go see it if you know where Shen Yun is going.”
Mr. Cai expressed, “Shen Yun gave us a taste of five thousand years of Chinese history and culture. Whether it was the arrangement of the dances or the costume design, they all show the classical beauty of five thousand years of Chinese history and culture. Whether it was the dancers or singers, their sounds and images are still lingering in the air and I’m still excited.”
“Their singing, and the meaning and content of the songs brought me into their art and incorporated me into the lyrics. It was very peaceful, and I had a feeling of unity of the world.”
Starting on March 1, Shen Yun International Company will continue to perform in Kaohsiung, Keelung, Taichung City, Chiayi, and Taoyuan. For more information about Shen Yun, including all 2014 tour dates and locations, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
