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Epoch Times: Multi-talented German Musician: 'Such a Soul-purifying Performance' (Photo)

Feb. 26, 2009 |   Epoch Times Staff

February 24, 2009

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Axel Schunn, founder of Charlie Swiggs Band, attends Divine Performing Arts 2009 World Tour with his wife and children. (The Epoch Times)

(Clearwisdom.net) TAINAN, Taiwan--Axel Schunn, German guitarist and songwriter, watched the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) 2009 World Tour performance on February 22 at the Tainan Municipal Cultural Center in Tainan, Taiwan, where he has resided since1990.

"I play the guitar, sing, and play the harmonica. I often give performances in Tainan," said Mr. Schunn, who came to see the show with his Taiwanese wife, daughter and son.

Although he studied fine arts at the Waldorf School of Arts, he ended up becoming a musician. Mr. Schunn is a member of the Seattle-based band Jetlegrs formed by Dennis Rea. After moving to Asia, he started his own rock group, the Charlie Swiggs Band.

His passion for introducing new styles of music brought him to the annual Tainan May Jam music festival in southern Taiwan and hosting a radio program, Noting Creativity, on Southern Taiwan University of Technology's Shining Radio (FM 88.1).

"This was my first time seeing the DPA show. I've done yoga and meditation for 30 years and seeing such a heart-purifying performance truly makes me happy. It is absolutely astounding. As an artist, I am usually very picky, so I always judge the professionalism of [shows]. Yet this performance deeply moved me."

It was not Mr. Schunn's first encounter with Chinese performances, but "this kind of content was new to me. The movements on stage were new and of a different style from what I do. The show also has a mission and it's wonderful. I like it.

"The drums were great. I like drums. I think they did so wonderfully. I also liked the female dancers' hand gestures. They are just ... just perfect."

The moral of the program "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution" touched Mr. Schunn deeply.

Witnessing the father's determination and firm belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance when he was persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party for his practice of Falun Gong, Mr. Schunn was moved. He said that previously, day after day, he lived in pursuit of materialism, yet now he thinks that he should treasure good friends and a good environment as they can help him to look within, rather than finding faults in others. The program shows that good will be rewarded and evil will be punished. He realized that evil can never truly threaten us.

"It was very moving. I also liked the last program ["Knowing the True Picture Offers Ultimate Hope"]. I adored the images of the Buddhas and the message the program conveyed, namely, that life is not always about earning money and soaking in the materialistic world. Rather, it's about finding one's true self. One's true self is simply in one's heart. I am very happy to see DPA performers promoting this. It's a big encouragement for me."

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/12640/