(Clearwisdom.net) The Divine Performing Arts (DPA) 2008 world tour presented 215 shows to an audience of more than six hundred thousand people around the world. The audience members were from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures, and from all walks of life. Most of the people interviewed had high praise for the world-class DPA performances. Among them, the overseas Chinese audience, in particular, felt that the DPA performances won credit for Chinese people and helped them rediscover the roots of the Chinese nation.
Early this year, Divine Performing Arts company performed to a packed audience at Radio City Music Hall in New York City
A former deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC): DPA is restoring the Chinese nation's glorious five thousand years of culture
After attending a DPA show in San Francisco, Ms. Jian, former Beijing deputy to the National People's Congress, said that Divine Performing Arts has attained the goal that art should guide people to pursue the truth. She thought the DPA truly won credit for the Chinese people.
Ms. Jian, former NPC deputy from Beijing
A Chinese audience member from mainland China watched a DPA show and wrote to the media, "The Chinese Communist regime has launched catastrophes in China one after another over the past years. It has spared no effort to compel us to forget. While watching the DPA show, I came to a sudden realization that we have forgotten the real roots of the Chinese people. That brilliant and splendid culture is what we should truly be proud of, as that is our roots."
"The values DPA conveys in the show will make the Chinese people respectable."
Zeng Jun, a software engineer, immigrated to the United States six years ago from China, and currently lives in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Zeng was deeply impressed by the program, "The Risen Lotus Flower," which depicts three women Falun Gong practitioners who were persecuted for upholding their belief. The police beat them badly, and one of them lost her life protecting her fellow practitioners. After that, two celestial maidens accompanied the practitioner to a heavenly paradise. Mr. Zeng was moved and said, "People won't respect you just because you hang national flags all over the place. When one firmly insists on his belief in truth and benevolence, even if that means sacrificing oneself for others, one still holds on to his belief. This is the right value we should have."
Mr. Zeng hoped more Chinese people can see this show, "After watching it, your soul will be thoroughly purified and uplifted."
DPA show showcases genuine traditional Chinese culture
Ms. Lin and her family just came to Canada two weeks ago from Guangzhou. They felt fortunate to have an opportunity to see the show. Ms. Lin said that the show was very different from shows in Mainland China, as it placed great emphasis on traditional values. She believes in the concept that good and evil receive their due reward and punishment.
Mr. Chen, from northeast China, said that the DPA performance had great significance in promoting traditional Chinese culture, and introducing Chinese culture to the Western people. "All these are the essence of Chinese culture, and these beautiful things should be preserved and carried forward," he added.
Ma Kaiwen just came out of China several months ago. He said, "I think the most successful part 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," Mr. Ma said, "Chinese culture is divinely-inspired, only people don't believe this 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 came to power, several generations have experienced their culture being twisted. Although some people have started to re-think it, it's very hard to make everyone see this clearly. China is under the CCP's (Chinese Communist Party) control and it is very difficult to start a new system. Mr. Ma hopes the DPA global world tour can inspire people to think.
"Divine Performing Arts brings light to my life."
Ms. Lin Xiling, who was labeled by the Chinese Communist regime a "rightist," had received a good education in art from childhood. She joined the Army Performing Arts Troupe when she was 13. She was very capable and could play many musical instruments, sing, and direct. She said that she had watched countless performances in China by Chinese or international performers. Since going abroad, she has watched many premier international shows in Paris, Sydney, and Vienna, but the Divine Performing Arts shows moved her heart like nothing had before.
Ms. Lin Xiling
Lin Xiling commended the DPA show by saying, "What a wonderful performance it was! It presented the beauty and brightness of both heaven and the human world. It presented us with the hope that justice will finally prevail over evil. It presented us with the ultimate origin and end of life. I watched the show with my heart and felt it with my spirit. I could not stop my tears, which diluted and washed out the resentment which had built up for half a century, and refilled my heart with the most precious elements: compassion and tolerance."
She added, "I realize that the success of Divine Performing Arts could not have been achieved by humans; it is heaven's will to purify the body and spirit of humans. Divine Performing Arts really comes from the divine, it is the gospel of the heavens."
"The power comes from the universe and divine beings"
Mr. Zhang, a businessman from Tianjin
Mr. Zhang said that the essence of the traditional Chinese culture is respect for gods and the universe. The show was unique for both Chinese people and the world. He said what the show filled him with "amazement," which was a kind of power from the universe and divine beings.
A Christian, Mr. Zhang said, "The message of the show is inspirational to people of all religious beliefs. It inspires people to think about where human beings come from, what people should do in life, where people will go and the ultimate meaning of life."
Ms. Liang Zhi, a dentist from Wuhan
Ms. Liang Zhi said that the show was of high caliber, and had great significance. It helped people to find themselves on a spiritual level and restore humanity. She said the Erhu performance was her favorite. It brought back her old memories. She felt like going back to her childhood, and even to ancient times. She felt she had lived the way life was presented in the show.
Divine Performing Arts shows were so touching that many audience members were brought to tears
Two post graduates from a renowned university in China attended a DPA show in Philadelphia. They said emotionally, "The show really touched our hearts. We were so emotional that we shed tears from beginning to end. "
Ms. Hu immigrated to Canada from China. She said, "I had watched a DPA show on the Internet and was very impressed by it. I had wanted very much to attend a live performance. My family moved to Toronto a month ago and thus we were able to watch the Spectacular in person. Somehow, I just cried through the show. This was the very first time I have been moved to tears by dance."
Ms. He Fenglun from Vancouver shared the same feeling. She said, "I'm really grateful to these performers for bringing us such a wonderful show. I cried last year, and this year too. Whether it was songs or dances, I was unwittingly led to that realm. I was so moved that I cried twice during the show."
Many Chinese audience members said that the programs related to Falun Gong were the most impressive. Mr. Li, who came from China on business, said, "The program related to Falun Gong was great! The program depicting the persecution of Falun Gong was the most impressive!"
Zeng Jun, a software engineer from Pennsylvania said, "Though Falun Gong is being persecuted in China, the show presented Falun Gong practitioners' courage and strength. It is not sad, but inspiring. The scenes presented spiritual transcendence, which is the result of great compassion and endurance."
Lucy, who just immigrated to Toronto, Canada from China said, "Not until today did I experience the poetic and celestial realm of the stage art. The music in the DPA show touched the depths of my heart and soul. It brought tears to my eyes. Such a feeling cannot be described. Now I understand what true art is."
Feeling proud of being Chinese
Ma Kaiwen, said, "I came from China not long ago and this was my first time to watch a performance by Divine Performing Arts. 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 to be Chinese."
Miss Lu came from Chengdu City, China. She is currently studying at the University of South Australia. She was excited and said, " The show represents China's divinely inspired culture. The lofty belief touched my heart and soul. I have never seen such a show in China, and I'm so proud to see such a show outside China. I am proud of it. It makes me proud to be Chinese."
Liu Gang, who participated in the student movement in 1989
Liu Gang attended the Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular show at Radio City Music Hall on the evening of February 9, 2008. He said that while watching the show, he felt like he was in the celestial realm, and it seemed that he made a tour through a heavenly paradise.
Mr. Liu said that he saw China's five thousand years of history and 56 nationalities in the DPA show, which was very educational for him. He re-experienced China's myths and legends, and saw from the show that Chinese people of different nationalities were kind.
He said, "The show was phenomenal and upright. I feel tremendously proud to be Chinese."
Looking forward to Divine Performing Arts in Mainland China
A young Chinese man watched two DPA shows in Milan, Italy. He just came out of China not long ago, and felt it a rare opportunity to watch DPA shows. He said, "If there were a third show, I would still attend it." "It's really pity that this wonderful Chinese culture cannot be seen in China."
Ms. Shi who came to visit relatives in the United States from Beijing, attended a DPA show in San Diego. She said that she would definitely take the message about DPA back to Beijing. "I'll take DVDs and materials about the Chinese Spectacular shows back to Beijing and share them with my relatives and friends, so they can enjoy the spectacular DPA shows in the U.S."