(Clearwisdom.net) After the third show of the Chinese New Year Spectacular in Toronto, a young man stayed long afterward in the performance hall, pondering. His name is Ma Kaiwen, and he is an art history scholar who just came from China a few months ago. Speaking to reporters, he said that he had never seen a performance like this before and found it truly amazing. He then said that the deep meaning of the culture and civilization shown in the performance should belong to the whole world, not only one nation.
Exhibition of Deeper Meaning of Culture and Civilization
"I came from China not long ago and this was my first time to watch a performance by Divine Performing Arts," said Ma. "At first, I thought I had seen similar shows for more than 20 years in China, so I didn't pay much attention when my friend recommended the show to me. Now I have seen the show, and it has truly shaken me. I have never seen anything like this inside China. This is the best show I've ever seen, whether from the angle of arts or culture."
Mr. Ma continued, "The show exhibited and glorified our traditional culture. Seeing so many Westerners enjoying our Chinese traditional culture along with Chinese people, such a high-level show with deep inner meaning, I really feel proud as a Chinese.
"The culture in China today is a hodge-podge, mixed with the dregs of popular culture and affected by modern culture. The Chinese government does not care about the great traditions our ancestors left for us; even more, they intentionally destroyed the traditions and created chaos in cultural circles. The essence of the traditional culture is lost. From those big stage shows or the Chinese New Year Eve's TV show, you don't see the charm of Chinese culture.
"I think the most successful thing of this show is the display of the deeper connotations of an ancient and dignified Chinese civilization. Different connotations of civilization reflect different levels. This is a high-level show. I'm very surprised that overseas Chinese could do the 'Water Sleeves' dance so well."
Talking about the myths and legends depicted in the show, such as "Descent of the Celestial Kings," Ma said: "It's not about whether it's 'acceptable' to people or not, it is the truth. People in Mainland China have forgotten our traditional culture. Chinese culture is divinely-inspired, only people don't believe it today. A truth will not become false just because people don't believe it. These stories are great, no matter from which culture. We should use various methods to let people know and understand them."
He continued: "Since the communist party got in power, several generations experienced how culture got twisted. Although some people have started to re-think it, it's very hard to make everyone see it clearly. China is under the CCP's (Chinese Communist Party) control and it is very difficult to start a new system. Popular culture is everywhere. If a show does not contain some violence or sex, people don't want to see it. So it is really hard."
Divine Performing Arts Belongs Not Only to One Nation
Ma Kaiwen also thinks that the meaning of the show is not only telling the history of the Chinese nation, but also the story of the entire world. "China is like a center. Many things are focused here, such as culture and religions. I think this is the reason why Westerners can accept this show so well, since the meaning of the show applies to the whole wide world. It's the history of mankind; it does not only belong to one nation."
Mr. Ma ended by saying that this wonderful show inspired him and gave him passion.
