Epoch Times Staff Jan 18, 2009
City Councilor Ms. Patterson is touched by the true Chinese culture. (Youzhi Ma/The Epoch Times)
SEATTLE--"I'm enjoying the show so much. It's making Chinese culture
come alive for me," said City Councilor Ms. Patterson.
Ms. Patterson was describing the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) Chinese New
Year Spectacular which she attended at Seattle's Paramount Theater on
Sunday, Jan. 18.
DPA, a New York-based performance company founded by leading Chinese artists, is
seeking to revive China's traditional culture and present it to audiences
around the world through Chinese classical dance and music.
Ms. Patterson said she "really enjoyed" the piece, "Dance of
the Snow-capped Mountains" in which the dancers spin, jump, and stomp
in celebration of the joys of life on the Tibetan Steppes.
"I think the main thing I'll take away from the show is the fact that the
Chinese culture, the true Chinese culture, lives on through the arts and through
dance and this show. The dance and the arts--through that Chinese culture will
live forever. It's a beautiful portrayal of Chinese culture and I'm so
fortunate to be here."
Upon hearing that the DPA production is not allowed to play in communist China,
Ms. Patterson said she hopes that one day that will change.
"I think it's sad that the Chinese people cannot have this experience
that I, as an American woman, can have. I think it's unfortunate that the
Chinese people cannot experience the beauty of their history and of their
culture through this extraordinary artistic experience. I hope that someday
their government will realize how important this is."
Chinese classical dance, the centerpiece of the DPA shows, is unique because
it has been passed down from ancient China when people emphasized chivalry,
loyalty, honesty, harmony of body and mind and a belief in the divine.
"I understand that there were some very profound spiritual messages that
were being portrayed through the dance and it was very interesting for me to
realize that those principles of love, of peace, of non-violence are very much a
part of the history of China; they're very much a part of the Buddhist culture
which is exactly the same message which is portrayed through traditional
Christian teachings as well."
She concluded by commenting on the piece, "Heaven Awaits us Despite
Persecution," which tells of a father persecuted for practicing Falun
Gong, a traditional spiritual practice rooted in ancient Chinese culture that
was banned by the Chinese regime in 1999.
"Throughout the history of mankind, when people speak the truth, they are
often persecuted, and that was being portrayed through dance here--but it is
true since the beginning of time, in all the cultures, that people who get close
to the truth, who speak the truth, who attempt to live the truth end up being
persecuted by those who don't want to hear it."
Source: http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/content/view/10578/
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Category: Shen Yun Performing Arts
