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TAOYUAN, Taiwan- Chou Chih-Long, manager of the Supply Section of China Airlines, watched Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company's second show in the Taiyuan County Performing Arts Center, on March 13, with a friend. He thought it was “a wonderful way” to present China’s 5,000 years of culture with classical Chinese dances.
What impressed Chou the most was that the New York-based Shen Yun was able to interact with the audience through dance and music. “It’s different from other shows. The audience could feel some kind of connection with this show,” said Mr. Chou.
Mr. Chou mentioned when he saw a teacher was persecuted in the program Our Story, he felt touched. The dance tells a true story of a teacher who was arrested in class for writing in Chinese characters for her pupils to learn, 'truthfulness, compassion, tolerance.'
The exquisitely handmade costumes that spanned numerous dynasties, also caught Chou’s attention. "The colors were splendid,” he remarked.
He was also impressed by the Shen Yun orchestra. “It combines different Chinese and Western musical instruments and did a unique presentation.”
Mr. Chou believed that the soloists in the show were all top vocalists. “Their voices were amazing!”
At a time when the influence of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism was strong in the Middle Kingdom, art was a means of connecting with the higher universe, according to Shen Yun's website.
Artists cultivated virtue and engaged in study and meditation, because they believed that to create true art worthy of the heavens, there must first be inner beauty and purity. Today, Shen Yun’s artists follow in this noble tradition, the website explains.
Among the company’s artists are members from renowned ensembles and music schools, and winners of international singing and dance competitions.
Reporting by Chen Yurou.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
