(Clearwisdom.net) SYDNEY--One audience member at Sunday evening's May 16 Shen Yun performance in Sydney had a deep understanding of the historical significance of the New York-based company's show. Leslie Shan is a student from China and has been in Australia for only three months.
Mr. Shan appeared deeply moved after seeing the first half of the show, saying, "This is the second time I have seen this show, this year. When I saw the first show, I felt like something was very familiar."
Profoundly touched at being reunited with his own true culture, Mr. Shan had tears in his eyes and took a little time before he was able to talk again.
His impression of the performance was a strong contrast to his life at home in China. "I felt that when I was in China, I could never feel anything so traditional. And the different ethnic dances, I felt like, very strong, culture of the ethnicities," he enthused.
Mr. Shan mentioned the "Mongolian Hospitality" dance, describing it as "just too beautiful." In this extraordinary rhythmic display, the dancers wear ornamental rings on their fingers, which they tap against plates they are carrying, synchronizing the music and dance. Shimmering in dazzling hues of orange and gold, the dancers express the affectionate spirit of the Mongolian people with traditional movements, such as the Mongolian shoulder-shake.
Explaining the current situation in his home country, Mr. Shan said he had never seen anything like Shen Yun in China.
"I felt the people in China, that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) persecutes, and how Chinese people aren't allowed to have their own beliefs, and are forced to believe in 'their things'. "
Some Shen Yun pieces depict the persecution of Falun Gong in today's China.
"Actually I have been in contact with Falun Gong. Their belief is in Truth, Compassion, Forbearance, and they take conflicts lightly and treat others well. It isn't at all what the CCP propaganda lies about."
"It raises awareness"
Medical student Ravin also attended Sunday's performance with several other students, "I thought it was excellent.... It was good to actually experience other cultures as well. I haven't actually been to a show like this before so it was a very interesting experience."
"I like the [piece] with all the goddesses, and also like the one with the handkerchiefs. I thought it was really nice."
"Handkerchiefs" is a dance by young girls in a verdant landscape, twirling and tossing their handkerchiefs. This spirited North Eastern piece depicts spring unfurling and finally blossoming in a sparkling finale.
Referring to the uniqueness of the performance, Ravin said, "Well first of all, the performances were great. Second of all, it sort of talked about issues as well that are relevant in society, which is important ... They discuss some persecution in China and obviously that is a big issue in the world at the moment. I also like the way it talked about all cultures in China, so it talked about Tibetan culture, Mongolian culture, and all those other ones as well, so that was interesting to see."
Ravin had a general idea about the current situation in China but felt that the performance by these New York-based Chinese artists "raises awareness."
Sources:
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/35542/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/35607/