TORONTO--Canadian MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj took in Divine Performing Arts' second Toronto show in John Bassett Theatre on Friday and called it "a bountiful table that nourishes the soul."
"You have music, song, dance and the costumes--just absolutely astounding."
Mr. Wrzesnewskyj, who represents the riding of Etobicoke Centre, received a Bachelor of Commerce from Trinity College and is the current owner of the Future Bakery founded by his grandparents, and M-C Dairy. He is also known for his humanitarian work.
"Human beings aren't just consumers, they aren't just consuming-beings, we have a spirit--a soul. And art in its various forms speaks to our spirit, to our soul. It lifts us up. And especially these forms of arts, you can't help but come out inspired."
He added that many of the dances tell a story.
"Some are stories of the past and some, as the last piece, told the story of hope for the future. One can't help but feel quite inspired by this particular performance and by the stories that it tells."
The last dance, "Knowing the True Picture Offers Ultimate Hope," depicts the cosmic and the earthly merging in a powerful image of renewal, a theme first explored in the opening dance of the show. It carries the message that a glorious culture of antiquity was brought by higher lives to sustain the moral integrity of humankind.
"Out of every sad story, I'm a believer that, not withstanding how horrific circumstances can be and how horribly cruel human beings can be towards other human beings, I believe in hope that the future will hold something better for humanity."
One of the show's dances, "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution," tells the tale of a father who is persecuted for practicing Falun Gong. The fantastic scenes that ultimately unfold in this piece present a message of hope and bespeak of a longstanding Chinese belief that good people are ultimately rewarded, even if not in this lifetime.
Mr. Wrzesnewskyj said he wished more of his fellow parliamentarians could see the show.
"You see parliamentarians get invited to many events--many functions, and of course it's part of our duties. This is more than just attending an event ...it's actually something that is inspiring and I wish that more of our colleagues could come because, as was pointed out during the performance, music and art can have quite a recuperative effect on a person and we certainly get battered around in the House of Commons," he said.
"We could use some of that spiritual massaging that this type of performance provides."
Mr. Wrzesnewskyj praised many of the dances and different elements of the show, including the costumes and the animated backdrop that provides a living setting in which each dance unfolds.
He also said he enjoyed "Welcoming Spring," a dance of quick footwork, crisp movements, and stunning bursts of colour that form the basis of a women's fan dance.
He said there was "a lot of strong imagery that sends a message that perhaps sometimes can't just be captured in words."
"I do believe that every person carries with them a certain aura and this type of performance rejuvenates and uplifts and I certainly will carry that spirit with me tonight."
Divine Performing Arts will perform five more shows in Toronto before moving on to Montreal and then New York City's famed Radio City Music Hall.
Source: Epoch Times-
http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/content/view/10101/
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Category: Shen Yun Performing Arts
