‘A wonderful treasure’

LINKÖPING, Sweden—On Friday evening, March 20, the curtain rose for the Shen Yun Performing Arts show at the Konsert & Kongress in Linköping. The city is located in Oestergötland at an ancient road junction, or as is said nowadays, the city has a strategic location.

Historically, Linköping was surrounded by places where people gathered for ceremonies and commerce. But things changed and people became Christians in the 11th century. In the year 1152, a church meeting was held in Linköping at which Sweden became a province of the Roman Church.

The Franciscan order came to Linköping and built a monastery. The lodge of the abbot remains at Grobroedragatan (the street of the Grey Friars) which is obliquely opposite the Konsert & Kongress, the setting for Shen Yun's performances. The grey friars would surely have appreciated the show.

"Shen Yun is very far reaching in creating a spiritual context for people," said Mr. Paris, an artist. He said that he experienced a special feeling and felt wonderful after last year's show.

Shen Yun presents traditional Chinese culture the way it was meant to be—a brilliant blend of grace, lightness, balance, and inner strength. The show presents an intangible ingredient which highlights the difference between the ordinary and the magical.

Ms. Björner is a soloist at the Royal Ballet and saw the show last year. She would like to thank the dancers from the bottom of her heart and wishes them every success with this year's performances.

She said, "A wonderful experience and true inspiration! The artists are excellent and they opened up a world I never before had the pleasure to behold. In graceful movements, like rippling water, and energetic jumps, they convey their country's cultural riches. A wonderful treasure."

Dr. Chiu Jong-Jen, a representative of Taipei's Mission in Sweden, was very happy to see Shen Yun come to Sweden.

"The magnificent stage performance expresses the essence of Chinese culture—a reverence for nature and spirituality, which produces an ethic based on rites, decency, loyalty, humanity, trust, and peace. It gives everyone, regardless of their origin or background, an opportunity to share the beauty of Chinese arts. It is a rare opportunity to get together to enjoy this most touching performance, and it fills me with an indescribable joy."

Presenters of the show are hoping that as many as possible of the 140,000 Linköping inhabitants and residents in the surrounding towns will also treasure the opportunity to see this internationally acclaimed show.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org