(Minghui.org) Taiwan's National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei was the proud host of the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company for nine sold-out shows from February 20-26, 2013.

Shen Yun Is an “ Exquisite Performance,” Says Former Minister

Former minister of the Department of Health, Shih Chun-jen, attends the Shen Yun performance at the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Taipei on Feb. 26. (Photo courtesy of the Epoch Times)

Many VIPs attended the Shen Yun show in Taipei, one of them being Shih Chun-jen, a leading scholar in the medical community and former minister of the Department of Health. He said he was extremely impressed by the performance.

“This show is indeed a great euphonic and audio feast. During the two-hour show today, the performance was so colorful, full of variety, and the choreography was excellent. The dancers were exceptionally graceful. All of the artists are well trained. I enjoyed it very much, and I am grateful to those who invited me here.”

He continued, “I am 90 years old. I have been to many countries in Western Europe and have seen a lot of performances, but it has been a long time since I've seen a show as wonderful as Shen Yun.

“The orchestra is a perfect blend of Eastern and Western musical instruments. The scenery on the backdrops transcended time and space, regardless of whether it was ancient or modern, outdoor or indoor. All of the programs were very beautiful. [The music] synchronized perfectly with the dancers; therefore, I feel very happy.”

Dr. Shih noted that some of the dance sets centered around one's inalienable right of belief. “The performance implied the promotion of freedom of belief. It’s very good,” he said.

“I really enjoyed this exquisite performance with its many crescendos. Although I am very old, I hope that I will have more opportunities to see the show again. I really feel like seeing Shen Yun again.”

Dr. Shih is an honorary fellow of the International College of Surgeons and has successfully promoted public health and preventive medicine, as well as organ transplantation in Taiwan.

Shen Yun is True, Good, and Beautiful Says Vice-Chair

Cross-strait Poets Association Vice-Chair Chen Wei-Teh attends Shen Yun Performing Arts in Taipei. (Photo courtesy of the Epoch Times)

Also in the audience was Chen Wei-Teh, vice-chair of the Cross-Taiwan Strait Poets Association and visiting professor at the Institute of Chinese Studies, Ming Dao University. He praised Shen Yun saying that it exhibits the true, the good, and the beautiful.

“Shen Yun’s performance is both traditional and modern. The orthodox Chinese folk tales were so well integrated that you experience the ideas and feelings of the great land of China, and the beauty of artistic technology. The performance conveys human authenticity, and has truly reached the realm of combining truth, goodness, and beauty,” Chen Wei-Teh said.

He continued, “Shen Yun’s music integrates both Chinese and Western musical instruments so well that it’s flawless. It gives you a very good feeling.

“The performance combines traditional dance and modern technology, which transforms complicated theatrical stage sets to a delicate image on stage. The unique ingenuity of the stage setting is very real and beautiful, especially when it portrays the actors flying in and out between the backdrops and the stage,” he explained.

Chen Wei-Teh talked about some of the programs and how they made him feel.

“The programs enlightened us, presenting the beauty of humanity and human nature through famous traditional Chinese novels and folk tales. It brought us back in time and helped us appreciate more than what the stories could tell on their own, and at the same time, it made you feel even better and made the stories more real.

“Take the Shaolin Monks' story, for example. The human appetite is a true feeling. Although the precepts of Buddhism forbid killing, the monks could not help themselves, and also wanted to taste the delicious meat. This reveals our true human nature.

“At first, the Sand Monk stirred up trouble and was attracted to the ladies, which was also his nature. Later, he was transformed by the Goddess of Mercy and became a loyal disciple to protect his master in Journey to the West. That was also an ultimate exhibition of truth and compassion.”

He added, “The program also showed the reality of Falun Gong being suppressed in mainland China. Falun Gong also enhances one's spiritual level. Taking a stand for the right of freedom of belief, I believe the communist regime should be encouraging, rather than suppressing [the spiritual practice].”

He concluded, “It is truly amazing how so many beautiful elements were combined to produce such wonderful feelings, to touch one’s heart, and glorify one’s life.”

Fine Arts Professor: It Is a Blessing to See Shen Yun

Su Tian-ci, associate professor of the Department of Fine Arts at the Chinese Culture University attends Shen Yun in Taipei on Feb. 24. (Photo courtesy of the Epoch Times)

Seated in the audience and enjoying the show was Su Tian-ci, associate professor of the Department of Fine Arts at the Chinese Culture University.

“I was told that it [Shen Yun] is from New York, with artists from all over the world. I was almost moved to tears [by the performance].

“I believe people will be blessed if they promote this kind of program across the globe. A magnificent program like this is indeed worth appreciating. Therefore, it is my wish that the magnificence of Shen Yun can be spread to every corner of the world. This is my humble wish.

“This is my first time seeing the Shen Yun performance, and I am deeply moved. Both the music and the choreography are superb. In particular, the lighting and the backdrops are amazingly vivid and lifelike.” He asked, “How was the big fish made?” referring to the program, “Sand Monk Is Blessed.”

“I have never seen anything like that. The programs present the essence of different folklore of various ethnicities,” he added.

Marveling at the animated backdrops, Su exclaimed, “I was very impressed with the Flowing Sands River (projected on the backdrop in the program 'Sand Monk Is Blessed'). The river and fish were so vivid, as if the big fish could really jump out of the water. The temples also looked very real. I couldn't figure out how they did that. I’ll think about it again when I get home. They were really magnificent.”

He added, “Of course, every program was wonderful, especially the dancers, who I would describe as very elegant.”

Lastly, he said he was “overwhelmed” by Shen Yun, adding, “It is a blessing to see such a wonderful program.”

Shen Yun “The Highest Level of Artistic Innovation,” Says Painter

Renowned painter Chen Huomu, who has been in the visual arts profession for over 60 years, said he was “deeply shocked, deeply touched” by the performance.

“I love Shen Yun, I really do,” said Mr. Chen. “I’ve watched Shen Yun several times in the United States. I returned to Taiwan for my personal art exhibit at the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall in March, and, seeing that Shen Yun was arriving as well, I came to the show again.”

Mr. Chen was full of praise for Shen Yun: “Shen Yun’s show, from the dance, songs, music, and costumes, to the high-tech animated backdrops, demonstrates the highest level of artistic innovation and the deepest inner essence,” he said. “I loved it.”

Chen Huomu is a member of New York’s Art Association as well as the National Artist Association and China Artist Association.

Shen Yun “Flawless and Perfect,” Says Film Director

Taiwanese film director and veteran producer, Mei Changkun attends the Shen Yun performance at the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Taipei on Feb. 24. (Photo courtesy of the Epoch Times)

Also in attendance was Mei Changkun, a well-known Taiwanese film director and veteran producer. He said he liked every aspect of the show.

“[The performance] is amazingly great, whether it be the depiction of Mongolia or Tibet; the Shaolin Temple, the beautiful scenes of various places in China, the choreography, the music played by the orchestra, or the vocal soloists, it was all great!” he enthused.

The film director continued, “The backdrop scenes portraying the Journey to the West were perfectly synchronized with the actors’ movements and the live orchestra. It was indeed great.”

Mr. Mei was thankful for the performers' efforts and what they have achieved. “It is really very meaningful. I really admire their tremendous achievements, and I think Shen Yun should come to Taiwan more often.

“As for the backdrops, and the dancers' synchronized movements, I believe they must have put in a tremendous amount of time and effort to produce such a high-level performance. I once produced a documentary portraying the achievement of overseas Chinese, around the world. So, I was excited to see overseas Chinese performing this well. It demonstrates that China's long history has been spreading across the world.

“From the choreography, we can see that Shen Yun is promoting authentic Chinese culture to Taiwan. It is very good.”

Mr. Mei elaborated: “Among the many programs, some introduced historical legends, while others portrayed various ethnic groups, such as Tibetans, Mongolians, etc. It fully portrayed the spirit of harmony among the races. There are also some vocal soloists in the program. These Chinese songs are excellent too.”

He also talked about the dance set, “When Shaolin Monks Protected the Emperor.”

“To preserve traditional Chinese culture, we should promote the cultural heritage of China throughout the world. This will help people of different ethnicities understand Chinese culture. I think the reason Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty allowed those monks to eat meat in the program 'Sand Monk Is Blessed,' is because cultivation is not about formalities. Whether the monks were allowed to eat meat or not is not that important. What is more important is the cultivation of their hearts. After all, Buddha is in their hearts.”

Mr. Mei also enjoyed Shen Yun’s costumes, saying: “The colors are exceptionally beautiful. Just look at the colors of the females' skirts and you can tell how much effort must have gone into the design and production of the costumes, particularly the hemlines, workmanship, and the texture of the silk clothes.”

He concluded by saying, “[Shen Yun] is indeed flawless and perfect.”

Sources:
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/former-health-minister-i-really-feel-like-seeing-shen-yun-more-354410.html 
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/cross-strait-poets-association-vice-chair-shen-yun-is-true-good-and-beautiful-354159.html 
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/fine-arts-professor-it-is-a-blessing-to-see-a-shen-yun-performance-353570.html 
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/renowned-painter-shen-yun-demonstrates-the-highest-level-of-artistic-innovation-353129.html 
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/shen-yun-on-tour/film-director-shen-yun-flawless-and-perfect-353115.html