(Clearwisdom.net) With the upcoming tour of the Divine Performing Arts starting in New York and Baltimore, Canadian VIPs including Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David C. Onley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley, Ontario's Minister of Culture M. Aileen Carroll, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety Dave Mackenzie sent greetings and best wishes to the Divine Performing Arts and praised the Chinese New Year Spectacular and its sponsors for their contributions to the spread of traditional Chinese culture and promotion of multiculturalism in Canada.
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David C. Onley (photo from the Lieutenant Governor's office)
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley (photo from the Minister's website)
Ontario's Minister of Culture M. Aileen Carroll
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety Dave Mackenzie (from the Minister's website)
On the basis of last year's performance, the Divine Performing Arts has expanded to two troupes. Their seasons will start simultaneously, one at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore and the other at the Beacon Theater in New York. They will give more than 200 shows in 55 cities around the world in the next five months.
Greetings from Canadian VIPs
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David C. Onley wrote to the sponsors of the show, Canada NTDTV and the Falun Dafa Association, "I am pleased to send greetings to New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) as you launch the 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular.
"This annual event has grown over the past five years to become the largest overseas Chinese cultural production that now tours to over 50 cities worldwide, entertaining half a million audience members. Featuring the Divine Performing Arts, you present traditional Chinese culture and express the purity of compassion, beauty, and truth. For many years Ontario has enjoyed the significant and important contributions of its Chinese community.
"As The Queen's representative in Ontario, I wish NTDTV a wonderful New Year as you welcome the Year of the Rat, a time of creativity and the start of new projects."
Greeting from Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David C. Onley
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley wrote in her letter, "I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to those attending the 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular as you welcome the Year of Rat.
"This grand event is indeed a unique opportunity to enjoy Chinese cultural heritage as an integral part of a multicultural society that is shared by fellow Canadians; therefore, I would like to congratulate the organizers of this annual celebration. They can be proud of the service they provide."
Greeting from Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley
The Honorable M. Aileen Carroll, Ontario's Minister of Culture, wrote in her letter, "I am delighted to offer a warm welcome to everyone attending New Tang Dynasty Television's 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular, featuring the Divine Performing Arts Troupe.
"In just a few years, the Chinese New Year Spectacular has grown to become a hugely successful cultural extravaganza. The Divine Performing Arts Troupe's expressive performance raises public awareness about traditional Chinese culture and heritage and delights audiences across the country. This event is a special way to usher in a brand new year, and I extend my thanks to the organizers of this wonderful production.
"On behalf of Ontario's Ministry of Culture, best wishes for a very enjoyable Chinese New Year celebration."
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety Dave Mackenzie wrote, "On behalf of myself and the citizens of Oxford I would like to congratulate your group and the many efforts of the members of your community on a wonderful job of showcasing the heritage of your country.
"The 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular is sure to be a special event that captures the spirit of a 5000-year-old traditional culture. In this multicultural society I am pleased to support groups that are doing their part to keep alive the spirit of their homeland through the performing arts."
Greeting from Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety Dave Mackenzie
The Pride of Overseas Chinese
"The Divine Performing Arts' large, world-class traditional Chinese cultural performance is the only one of its kind in Canada," President of NTDTV Canada Dr. Wang Shaojiu said. He called the greetings and support from all levels of the Canadian government "the pride of all the overseas Chinese." "These best wishes are proof of Chinese Canadians contributions to the promotion of multiculturalism in Canada."
Dr. Wang said that the NTDTV Chinese New Year Spectacular has enjoyed increasing international acclaim since its first show in 2004. The sheer beauty and meaningful cultural content, as well as the artistry of the Divine Performing Arts, have been well received by the Chinese communities, gained widespread recognition and attention from mainstream society, and promoted a positive image of Chinese culture in the West.
Mr. Zhang Zhaojin, spokesperson for the Falun Dafa Association Canada, which co-sponsors the Chinese New Year Spectacular, told the reporter, "The Falun Dafa Association has been making efforts to promote 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance,' valuable human virtues. The Divine Performing Arts has presented authentic divine Chinese culture to Eastern and Western audiences. Its accomplishments have been recognized and its efforts supported by Western society and overseas Chinese. I hope more people will have an opportunity to see the Divine Performing Arts."
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