University President: Shen Yun ‘A Show Across Time and Space’

TAOYUAN, Taiwan—Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company performed its final show in Taoyuan on March 15. Mr. Peng Tsung-Ping, president of Yuan Ze University, and his wife, were in attendance at the Performance Center of Taoyuan County. After the show, Mr. Peng praised the performance, saying “The programs of Shen Yun were carefully planned. It represented strong Chinese style, containing different dynasties and regions. It is really a show across time and space.”

Mr. Peng explained that “time” means the changing of the dynasties. For example, the first program represented the history from heaven to the human world, when the Creator invites divine beings of distance realms to follow him to the earth. In addition, the performance displayed the most prosperous time of the Tang and Qin dynasties. And “space”, he said, means the programs portrayed the characteristics of different areas and regions of China, such as the Mongolian dance and the Taiwanese dance. They all fully manifested the unique styles of different areas and races. “The plan of Shen Yun’s entire performance is very elaborate. The show is on a very high level.” Mr. Peng emphasized.

Mr. Peng believed that Shen Yun’s tour to Taiwan is particularly meaningful for Taiwan, because it gives the audience an opportunity to have a fuller understanding of traditional Chinese culture. Thus, they can have a reflection of how to see the broadness and profoundness of Chinese culture inherited throughout history, with a more aspiring perspective of the Chinese people’s world view.

Mr. Peng especially appreciated the Shen Yun Orchestra. “The best,” he said in English. “It is the best,” he repeated in Chinese. He said that the background music of the performance was not music recordings, but a live orchestra, which showed that the orchestra must have a very high quality.

Mrs. Peng said that she was quite fond of the dance programs. She said that seeing Shen Yun was a brand new experience. “I enjoyed the [dancers’] strength and beauty. I feel fabulous,” Mrs. Peng said.

Mr. Peng believed that Shen Yun's performance in Taoyuan was a good opportunity for some of its 2 million citizens to appreciate arts and culture. He felt that it would not only improve the quality of local performing arts and culture, but also encourage local cultural activities.

Yuan Ze University was founded in 1989 by the Far Eastern Group, one of the most important businesses in Taiwan. The board chairman is Douglas Tong Hsu, the president of the Far Eastern Group, which owns Far EasTone Telecommunications, Far Eastern Department Store, Far Eastern Textile, Far East Restaurants, Far Eastern Electronic Toll Collection, and others.

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