(Minghui.org) From the end of January to the first week of February 2023, Shen Yun Performing Arts shared its artistic and profound presentation of genuine Chinese culture with theatergoers in Spain, France, South Korea, the Dominican Republic, Canada, and the United States.
Shen Yun debuted its first Dominican Republic tour on February 2. Prior to the performances, the CCP’s embassy attempted to interfere with the performances by publishing a statement as well as pressuring local media to not cover the performances. These efforts, however, had the opposite effect. Shen Yun’s seven performances (including one added) in Santo Domingo and Santiago all played to packed houses.
Shen Yun Touring Company at the sold-out, debut performance at the Eduardo Brito National Theater in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on February 2. (NTD Television)
Shen Yun Touring Company at the Grand Theater of Cibao Restoration Hall in Santiago, Dominican Republic, on February 6. The company presented two performances in Santiago on February 6 and 7, both to packed houses. (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun New York Company at the Place des Arts - Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in Montréal, Quebec, Canada, on the evening of February 4. The company presented five performances in Montréal February 2–5. (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun North America Company at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville, Tennessee, on the afternoon of February 4. The company presented three performances in Nashville on February 3 and 4, all to packed houses. (NTD Television)
Shen Yun New Era Company at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center in Sacramento, California, on the afternoon of February 4. The company presented four performances in Sacramento February 2–4, all to packed houses. (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun New World Company at The State Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio, on the afternoon of February 4. The company presented three performances in Cleveland on February 4 and 5, all to packed houses. (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun Global Company at the packed house at the Auditorio Kursaal in San Sebastián, Spain, on February 2. The company presented three performances in San Sebastián January 31–February 2. (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun Welcomed by Dominican Fans and Public Officials
Shen Yun Touring Company arrived in the Dominican Republic on January 30. This was the first time Shen Yun performed in the Caribbean region. (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun performers were warmly welcomed by local fans with flowers at the Las Américas International Airport. (The Epoch Times)
Milen Nachev, Shen Yun’s orchestra conductor (NTD Television)
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to represent a very old, ancient Chinese tradition, very old civilization,” said Milen Nachev, Shen Yun’s orchestra conductor.
Jisung Kim, dancer and a star of YouTube channel, “3 Musketeers” (NTD Television)
“We will do our best to present each performance like a premium product, to bring audiences an unforgettable, meaningful, and joyful time,” said Jisung Kim, dancer and a star of YouTube channel, “3 Musketeers.”
Nika Zhang, concertmaster (The Epoch Times)
“I’m sure the audience here will be very happy. I think they’ll have a lot of energy. Hopefully it will be very inspiring to them,” said concertmaster Nika Zhang.
Prior to Shen Yun’s performances in the Dominican Republic, the company received welcome letters from three senators and two deputies of the Congress of the Dominican Republic. (The Epoch Times)
“It Is a Show That Everyone Must See”
Carlos Veitía, director of the Eduardo Brito National Theater and former director of the Dominican National Ballet, at the Shen Yun performance in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on February 2 (NTD Television)
Carlos Veitía, director of the Eduardo Brito National Theater and former director of the Dominican National Ballet, saw Shen Yun in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on February 2.
“For me, this is a brilliant moment within my management in the theater because it is a dance company that believes in virtues, in discipline, in raising the human spirit, that all countries, all cultures, have to watch... The National Theater will always be open to anyone who comes with art, to tell the truth about it,” said Mr. Veitía, who is also the founder of Ballet Concierto Dominicano, a top ballet company in the Dominican Republic.
“What appeals to me about Shen Yun is exactly that: the work, the sweat they put on, that’s called discipline, and that is vocation and love; how in sync they were, how musical they are, the beautiful choreographies made by the choreographers, I congratulate them with all my heart, profoundly,” he said.
What set Shen Yun apart, Mr. Veitía said, was the artists’ faith and conviction.
“It is a show full of beauty, as well as emotional... I saw a lot of faith in what they did. I saw that they were convinced in their message, that is very important for each artist, and that is the case... I saw sincerity in their interpretation and I saw their heart set on their culture,” he said.
“I cannot fail to mention the wonderful orchestra, exquisite orchestra, marvelous. But I loved the show because as a whole, it is very professional, and that is a great virtue in art.
“You can have very good dancers, as I repeat, there are very good ones here, the issue is teamwork, and I understand that Shen Yun is a world-class example of that,” he said.
“It is a show that everyone must see, everyone must come to see it and the whole world should follow... People need to follow discipline, virtues, and beauty... The world needs a lot of that.
“The world right now needs to remember that you have to be honest with yourself, that we have to work because we are imperfect in every way, that we have to try to seek perfection, physical, and first spiritual to be able to get it physical... And that you can’t waste time because life is short.
“So I understand that you have to work on virtues, you have to try to be better human beings, and understand and respect each other. We all have the right to express ourselves. And we also have the right to live in peace, in peace, with one another.
“It’s sublime,” Mr. Veitía said.
“An Unprecedented Contribution to the Culture of Our Country”
Jose Antonio Molina, conductor, pianist, composer, and director of the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, at the Shen Yun performance in Santo Domingo on February 3 (NTD Television)
Jose Antonio Molina, conductor, pianist, composer, and the director of the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, saw Shen Yun in Santo Domingo on February 3.
“Truly magnificent, a beautiful impression. I think it is an unprecedented contribution to the culture of our country, something very fresh, very new,” Mr. Molina said.
“In the aspect of my profession, it is very interesting how to combine the sounds of a traditional orchestra with ethnic, folk elements and Chinese instruments. So I am very happy and above all very grateful to bring a show of this level to the Dominican Republic.
“Magnificent, a highly refined technique. I studied music in New York at all the main conservatories, at the Manhattan School of Music, the Juilliard, and I love New York. And [Shen Yun’s orchestra is] definitely the best of the best, that is, how to combine a traditional classical technique of top dancers with the best from the Chinese traditions.
“[It is] simply new. I am used to doing the traditional symphonic repertoire of the great orchestras from Bach to Bartók and seeing how to merge these things, seeing traditional instruments, string instruments, traditional woodwinds, of course, the harp, etc. And when a folk color comes, it’s very refreshing news. It’s something new in the symphonic world. So I really congratulate you and thank you for coming to our country with a show of this level.
“I think that I have enjoyed the whole night, everything has had a very beautiful color. I am impressed above all by the highly refined technique. There are more than the production effects, simply wonderful, I truly congratulate you,” he said.
Mr. Molina said he felt the culture, the reverence for the divine, and the universal values of this divinely-inspired civilization that Shen Yun wanted to present.
“I have felt it basically from the first note the orchestra sang to the last step a dancer took... It has deeply penetrated the public,” he said.
“I think that they reflect above all the idiosyncrasies of that part of the world, of that spiritual part... We are passionate about it. We don’t have the opportunity. I did and have done concerts and have rehearsed traditional concerts in Chinese territory in the Forbidden City, with the Peking Opera Orchestra. I did the event of the three tenors Pavarotti, Plácido, and Carreras and I have always had contact, students, my classmates in New York, in the conservatories, so I have always been passionate about that culture and tonight has touched me in a very special way.
“I don’t think that everyday one has the pleasure, the delight of seeing a show of this magnitude. So fresh, so different from everything that goes through the great halls of the world.
“It is definitely important news, where any stop that this company has—is going to be news, because it really is very original,” he said.
“I Loved Every Minute”
Singer Brenda Lee (right), a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award, and her assistant Retta Kelm at the Shen Yun performance in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 4 (The Epoch Times)
Singer Brenda Lee, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award, and her assistant Retta Kelm saw Shen Yun in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 4.
“The whole thing all went together so well. It all touched me... I loved every minute. I loved the sad parts, the good parts. It was wonderful,” Ms. Lee said.
Regarding Shen Yun’s music, she said, “I loved it. Very, very good music, and I know good music.”
“The orchestra, the musicians, the dancers, the singers—it was top-notch.
“I’m glad I came,” Ms. Lee said.
“I Feel Like I’ve Been Reborn”
Robin Vaillancourt, specialized contractor and consultant, and his daughter at the Shen Yun performance in Montréal, Canada, on February 5 (The Epoch Times)
Robin Vaillancourt, specialized contractor and consultant, and his daughter saw Shen Yun in Montréal, Canada, on February 5. He said that seeing Shen Yun allowed him to “depart from the daily hustle and become calm.”
Mr. Vaillancourt’s grandfather is Chinese. “I found my root. I feel like I’ve been reborn, culturally reborn. That was a culture that my ancestors used to depend on, but I never had the opportunity to learn about it. After seeing Shen Yun, it feels like it had opened a door for me. I want to learn more,” he said.
“In the show today, I did not only see calmness of the performers, but I felt calmer on the inside too. This performance did not only bring a visual feast, not only perfection that can be seen, but also deeper meaning. I want to read Zhuan Falun and learn more,” Mr. Vaillancourt said. He purchased a French Zhuan Falun after the performance.
“An Unparalleled Performance”
Aretuza Arauco, owner of a digital marketing company, at the Shen Yun performance in San Sebastián, Spain, on January 31 (The Epoch Times)
Aretuza Arauco, owner of a digital marketing company, saw Shen Yun in San Sebastián, Spain, on January 31.
“Shen Yun is touching. What touched me the most was its purity, the energy emitted, and the gorgeous colors,” said Ms. Arauco.
“This is an unparalleled performance. It takes people into another realm. The communications of the spirit and heart let us realize that we could connect with the divine again,” she said.
“Their Performance Is Very Important”
Dave Howell, president and founder of an IT consulting company, and his wife at the Shen Yun performance in San Antonio, Texas, on February 5 (The Epoch Times)
Dave Howell, president and founder of an IT consulting company, and his wife saw Shen Yun in San Antonio, Texas, on February 5.
“Shen Yun brings people a visual feast. It makes people mentally and physically happy,” Mr. Howell said.
He said he could clearly feel “the divinity of the performers and the performance, and the connection with the heaven,” and thought Shen Yun is “delivering very clear messages.”
“Everyone needs to know this message. Shen Yun brought this message, so their performance is very important,” he said
“Very Powerful”
Attorney Alex Kuszewski, his wife Maressa, and their children at the Shen Yun performance in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 4 (The Epoch Times)
Attorney Alex Kuszewski, his wife Maressa, and their children saw Shen Yun in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 4. They had see Shen Yun in the past.
“I think the importance [of the message] is so key to share, the traditional Chinese culture and how relevant it is for the world today to see. The desire for the beauty of the dance, of the music, of the color, of the strength of the culture, and the desire of the religious search for spiritual awareness as well. Very powerful,” said Mr. Kuszewski, who is the senior intellectual property counsel at Rockwell Automation.
“I absolutely loved it. It’s so powerful, and so important for all of us to understand the truth of what’s going on in China. But also not just for what’s happening in China, but to understand how important freedom is for all of us, even in the United States,” said Mrs. Kuszewski.
Canadian Public Officials Welcome Shen Yun Prior to Nine-city Tour
Before Shen Yun launched its 2023 nine-city Canada tour on January 31, the performing arts company received welcome remarks from Canadian public officials. (Minghui.org)
Judy A. Sgro, Member of Parliament for Humber River-Black Creek, wrote in her letter, “For over a decade, Shen Yun has wowed the world with their impressive performances. While audiences enjoy beautiful visual displays of cultural artistry and talented performers, the movement behind these shows is just as remarkable.”
Melissa Lantsman, Member of Parliament for Thornhill and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, wrote in her letter, “Shen Yun is a powerful ambassador for the values of tolerance, diversity, and multiculturalism that have played such an important role in building our nation and will continue to do so for years to come.”
Upcoming Performances
Shen Yun continues its 2023 tour with upcoming performances in Escondido, California, February 12–14; Tucson, Arizona, February 12; Corpus Christi, Texas, February 14; Salzburg, Austria, February 12; Tours, France, February 12; and Seoul, South Korea, February 15–19.
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