(Minghui.org) The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company received a warm and enthusiastic welcome during six sold-out shows, held at the Keelung Cultural Center Performing Hall, in Taiwan, on March 20-24, 2013.
Shen Yun is “Super World-class,” Exclaims Keelung Mayor
Keelung City mayor Chang Tong-rong
Each of the six shows held at the Keelung Cultural Center Performing Hall was attended by scores of government VIPs, including Keelung City Mayor Chang Tong-rong, who spoke very highly of Shen Yun’s artistry.
“Keelung City has long attached much importance to traditional culture, and has a world-class performing hall,” said the mayor.
“I am exhilarated to see Shen Yun's performances in Keelung. The entire performance was very wonderful, regardless of whether the programs were of ancient or modern stories, solos, or group dances,” he explained.
Mr. Chang spelled out three aspects of Shen Yun that impressed him the most. “First, various artistic elements were perfectly interpreted by Shen Yun artists. Second, the sound effects were excellent.
“And thirdly, the fact that all the seats were fully occupied demonstrates that Shen Yun has become a ‘super’ world-class performing arts company. Since it is such a wonderful performance, I think people in Keelung should further introduce it to others.”
He continued: “It is especially rare to see so many artists performing together, and each program has different characteristics. It was the first time for me to see such amazingly vivid and lifelike backdrops in Keelung.
“In particular, the scenes of the floating Sand River in the program 'Sand Monk Is Blessed,' were indeed marvelous. They were really great.”
Mayor Chang praised Shen Yun for incorporating traditional Chinese values into the different performances.
“The [spirit] of the Buddha Fa [Law] or the belief performed by Shen Yun, can help the audience gain more insight into life, as well as the philosophies about righteous actions. We can learn more about the overall picture of the world as well.”
He concluded by urging Keelung City residents to see the show.
“I hope that all of our residents would not forget to attend the Shen Yun performance. Frankly speaking, I hope it [Shen Yun] can perform more in Taiwan, so that more people in the 22 counties or cities are able to see such a magnificent performance.”
Shen Yun Manifests Essence of Chinese Dance, Says Director
Cultural Affairs Bureau director, Chang Chien-Hsiang
Also in the audience was Chang Chien-hsiang, director of the Keelung City Cultural Affairs Bureau, a co-sponsor of the Shen Yun 2013 Taiwan Tour.
Mr. Chang thought the performance was “great, it is really wonderful, it’s Keelung City’s pleasure to be able to invite Shen Yun Performing Arts to perform in Keelung.
“It’s very rare to see a performing arts company that can perform classical Chinese dance so exquisitely.
“Seeing the performance, we can tell that every dancer has undergone rigorous training, and all of them have brought their solid fundamental skills into full play. Their performance at the Keelung Cultural Center here is indeed a blessing for Keelung.”
Mr. Chang praised the artists for upholding the great heritage of Chinese dance.
“The fundamental technical skills, such as jumping, leaping, turning, and lifting were fantastically demonstrated, and all of the movements were acted in perfect unison. It was indeed very pleasing to our eyes.”
He saw a high level of artistry, discipline, and preparation in the performance.
“Every detail of their movements was well done,” said Mr. Chang. “They have undergone serious training and practice.”
He commented on the synchronization between the Shen Yun Performing Arts Orchestra and the dances, saying that they were “so wonderful that it fully demonstrated the magnificence of the Chinese culture and traditional dancing arts. It was really very appealing.”
Mr. Chang thought the artists were fulfilling their mission of reviving traditional culture. “The entire program was exquisitely and coherently presented. The essence of classical Chinese dance has been fully manifested.”
Director Chang was proud to “welcome high-level performing arts companies like Shen Yun to perform in Keelung.”
“As Shen Yun has performed in various world-class theaters such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, it is indeed a blessing for people in Keelung City to see it in Keelung. That’s why the Keelung City Department of Cultural Affairs invites Shen Yun to perform in Keelung.”
To Mr. Chang, preserving Chinese heritage is vitally important.
“Chinese culture needs all of us to preserve it, promote it and pass it down. As Shen Yun is promoting Chinese culture so well, and performs classical Chinese dance so exquisitely, I think we should do our level best to promote it.”
“I Was Deeply Touched,” Says Dance Instructor
Ms. Chen, a former Chinese dancer and instructor at the Dance Academy of the Central University for Nationalities in Beijing, was also in attendance.
“Everything was fantastic, including performers’ technical skills, choreography, backdrops, etc.,” she said. “It is indeed a top-level performance.”
Included in Shen Yun’s repertoire are ethnic or folk dances, especially the Tibetan dance, “Dancing for the Gods.”
“It perfectly illustrated the characteristics of Tibetan ethnicity, and the dance is very spirited,” she said. “The male dancers’ artistic level is very high in the areas of technical skills, form, and bearing.”
Ms. Chen noted that unlike other performing arts groups, Shen Yun presents authentic classic Chinese dance, while other companies often add something to the dances to cater to audience’s tastes.
“What Shen Yun performs are pure classic dance pieces and the folk dances of various ethnic groups, and all of these dances have their original characteristics,” she said.
“As to what's performed by other troupes, they are often the combination of modern dance, Jazz dance, ballet, etc. Therefore, what presented by Shen Yun is traditional Chinese culture, with classical features.”
Accompanying the dancers is an orchestra that perfectly blends both classical Western and Chinese instruments. Ms. Chen said Shen Yun is the only performing arts company she knows of that has such an accompaniment, while other companies usually play CDs.
She was also impressed by the handcrafted costumes and digitally animated backdrops.
“Every piece of the costumes was exquisitely made and specially designed,” she said. “The brilliant costumes perfectly coordinated with the high-tech dynamic backdrops on stage. They were so vivid and lifelike.”
Drawing on the fact that she once taught dance at a top university in China, Ms. Chen said, “Everyone would say Shen Yun is really great after seeing them perform.”
“Since I used to be a dancer, I was deeply touched after seeing the performances,” she said. “Only Shen Yun can make every audience member enjoy themselves so much.”
Ms. Chen felt that Shen Yun uplifts the level of artistry in artists who see the performance, and generally inspires audience members.
“I will also recommend Shen Yun to other professional dancers,” she said, “and ask them to see the Shen Yun performance as much as possible.”
The Singing Shook My Heart, Says State Director
Department of Transportation and Tourism director, Chung-Hung Wang (Photo courtesy to The Epoch Times)
Chung-Hung Wang, director of Keelung City's Department of Transportation Tourism, said Shen Yun was “Excellent!”
“The choreography was very good. The dance, culture, and history of China were fully demonstrated by the programs, which illustrate various ethnic characteristics, literary stories, and contemporary facts incorporated with cultural heritage, he explained.
“Shen Yun has carried forward the orthodox spirit and provided people of the world a glimpse into Chinese culture.”
The director was smitten by the singing programs. “The singing programs shook my heart because they delivered Chinese historical heritage and beliefs. We ought to help others more. This is the Chinese spirit of helping the needy.”
Mr. Wang also indicated that Shen Yun created quite a sensation when it toured Keelung, two years ago.
“This year, the Keelung Department of Transportation and Tourism promoted a one-day trip along with Shen Yun Performing Arts’ program. I hope we can continue this type of promotion for future Shen Yun tours to Keelung.”
He concluded, “I hope more people will see Shen Yun. I also hope by collaborating with Shen Yun’s tour, we will be able to promote the tourism industry in Keelung.”
Shen Yun “Spreading the Power of Great Wisdom and Courage”
Renowned Taiwanese chief prosecutor, Liu Chengwu
Renowned Taiwanese chief prosecutor, Liu Chengwu, praised the show, saying that it exemplified great wisdom and courage.
“Shen Yun has presented philosophy, emotion, and great wisdom and courage, all in one show. This is a show worthy of admiration and promotion,” said Mr. Liu.
The chief prosecutor said he has done a lot of research into heaven, earth, and people, and that he has seen in Shen Yun “the balance of mind and body … In addition, [Shen Yun] is diverse and ever-changing.”
“Not very many people can put all these elements together,” said Mr. Liu. “But Shen Yun has done it.”
“I really feel the time, effort, and creativity that Shen Yun puts in for every scene. In this world of impermanence, who can say that they’ve experienced balanced emotion, rationale, knowledge, and humanity? Only Shen Yun has reached this realm.”
Many audience members have reported feeling surrounded by a peaceful energy field during the Shen Yun show, or even seeing light radiating from the performers. “I have telepathic abilities,” said Mr. Liu, “so I know that the positive energy that Shen Yun emanates is real.”
“Shen Yun Will Continue to Flourish”
“Lack of belief is ignorance. I believe that Shen Yun will continue to flourish while spreading the power of great wisdom and courage.
“I don’t view Shen Yun as merely a show of song and dance. It is truly a performance that moves the soul. Every element in the performance has reached the pinnacle of artistry and creativity.”
Mr. Liu said he feels that Shen Yun is the leader in the renaissance of traditional Chinese culture.
“Shen Yun’s artists possess excellent training and immerse themselves in their performance. In addition, the programs in the show are integrated with classical Chinese literature. The performance was very thoughtfully created,” he explained.
“It is a great thing for the audience to see, ‘Falun Dafa is Good,’” said Mr. Liu. “Why? Because you can see the wisdom and courage involved in their actions. I am truly happy that China’s 5,000-year history can flourish in such a way. I have seen it! This is a show worthy of praise.”
The chief prosecutor said he will definitely recommend the performance to others. “Shen Yun’s elegant temperance comes from within. I will spread the word about this show!”
Shen Yun to be Praised for Generations, Says Poet
Poet, painter, and tourism association director, Lin Fu-yin
Also enjoying the show was Lin Fu-yin, a poet, painter, and the director of the Keelung City Badouzi Tourism Industry Association. He was awarded for his literary achievement, thus earning him the title, “Captain Poet.”
“I was inspired to write several poems on the spot,” Mr. Lin said after seeing the show. It's “absolutely worth seeing. It will be a lifelong regret to miss it.”
Mr. Lin praised Shen Yun saying that “This is the first time that I have watched a performance with such high standards.
“While the music was very elegant, its up-tempo part was astounding. The orchestral performance coordinated very well with the overall dance; the animated backdrops being awe-inspiring.
“In addition, due to my fondness of painting, I noticed the perfect blend of colors, with lots of effort put into it. For instance, in the program 'The Emperor Journeys to the Moon,' the scene in the moon was really like a heavenly world. It was really beautiful.”
He continued, “Our world lacks warmth, everyone being indifferent. Without love, there will be no warmth. Seeing (Falun Gong practitioners) being persecuted and violently treated in the program 'An Unexpected Encounter,' I felt very touched.
“Since a generous act was returned with enmity, I was impressed with the program. Shen Yun enables us to better understand our true selves. But our behavior is being watched by heaven.
He elaborated, “Our modern society puts too much emphasis on the pursuit of profits, which in turn leads to moral corruption and interpersonal indifference.
“Meanwhile, arts which have praised divinity in ancient times, have turned out to be tools to praise humans, and then to praise bloody acts and violence. In such a morally corrupt world, Shen Yun devotes vigorous efforts to evoking people’s memories of kindness.”
Shen Yun “The Ultimate Work of Art,” Says Master Painter
Artist Dr. Weng Feng-Shan
Another arts professional, Dr. Weng Feng-Shan, explained why Shen Yun is the ultimate work of art, as measured by the ancient Chinese standard.
“Xie He, of the Southern Dynasty, classified art work into six levels. Shen Yun has attained the first level of expressing ‘vivid qi and charm.’ It is the ultimate work of art, the highest realm possible!”
Xie He was a painting master and proposed the Six Laws for measuring the levels of Chinese paintings. His laws have been followed by painters, critics, and connoisseurs, ever since.
Dr. Weng received the Twentieth Century Achievement Award, Certificate for World VIP, from the Asian Pacific Art Institute of America. He is also listed in Who’s Who in the World.
“The costumes are novel and fully disclose the degree of luxury in the different dynasties, such as Han and Tang. The work is done in a delicate way. The artists mastered the difficult dancing movements showing smooth flow of charm, energy, and gestures,” Dr. Weng said.
He also appreciated how Shen Yun combined ancient Chinese culture with a high-tech animated backdrop.
“Combining modern technology and the traditional 5,000 years of dancing, totally expressed the qi and charm. I highly admire that.
“In the performance, I see a melting pot of technology and tradition. They are compatible with each other. The show does not blindly worship technology. It remembers what we are and where we come from.”
He continued, “Shen Yun is the best art group I have seen. It shows where life originated. From its high-tech backdrop, I felt that life truly originates from chaos in the universe.”
Dr. Weng saw every scene as a painting. “The wall paintings of Wu Daozi from the Tang Dynasty reached a realm where they looked as if they were ‘moved by the wind.’
“I could not imagine what it felt like until this day. Today, I see that the wind is blowing and everything is alive in Shen Yun’s ‘paintings’ on the backdrop. I felt it! Shen Yun is amazing!
He concluded, “There is a deep and profound meaning behind Shen Yun’s performance. It allows me to feel relaxed and joyous. There is an energy of peace, joy, and auspiciousness, like I landed in Xanadu, a World of Ultimate Bliss.”
Shen Yun Evokes “So Many Feelings,” Says Engineer
Mr. Huang (an alias) was born and raised in China. He is a former engineer at the China National Space Administration in Beijing, and now lives in Singapore. He traveled all the way to Keelung City to see Shen Yun perform.
After seeing the show, he said he yearns to see genuine Chinese culture revived in mainland China.
“Of course, it is my desire. I want this culture to return to China. Actually, I just felt what it was like to live in that ancient culture, and I don’t want to come out of that space.”
He said Shen Yun “is of the highest quality. It really is. It is simply a manifestation of ancient Chinese culture. This is what real Chinese people are like.”
Mr. Huang noted that the Shen Yun stories nearly transported him. “You bet the programs were very good. I was deeply touched and I had a feeling that I was part of the program. Really nice, really good!”
Mr. Huang said that the programs made him feel as if he entered another world. “Like I was actually there (in ancient times). It did give me this feeling. I forgot where I was. My eyes just kept staring as if I had actually become part of the story.
“There were simply so many feelings. I also had a strong feeling of kindness, as if I were actually the one who did this a long time ago. It allowed me to be free from myself. The programs were so real.”
Mr. Huang said, “You can’t see something like this back home [in China]; I am not willing to watch TV or any other programs. I don’t even want to lay my eyes on any of it.
“But when it comes to Shen Yun, it is totally different. After watching Shen Yun, the mood is different, the realm is not the same, it is just absolutely different.”
Mr. Huang said he has two reasons why he won’t watch Chinese TV programs because, “One is the propaganda of (the Chinese Communist Party). The other is that the programs are simply very vulgar.”
He confidently said that China must restore authentic Chinese culture, and that he believes that day will inevitably come.
“This culture is the real Chinese culture. I believe what’s portrayed on stage will one day become reality, because this belongs to the people. It’s their true culture. So I hope such a society will come to be, for that would be a genuine society for the people.”
Shen Yun “Beyond Everything I Could Have Imagined,” Says Musician
Chou Chung-Shi, director and conductor of the Keelung-based Gu-Feng Orchestra
Also in attendance was Chou Chung-Shi, director and conductor of the Gu-Feng Orchestra, which has been performing in Taiwan for close to 20 years.
“It was beyond everything I could have imagined,” Mr. Chou said of the Shen Yun show. “The choreography and the orchestra's performance were well coordinated and balanced.” He stressed that only a very professional orchestra is able to do that.
“The erhu artist produced such a sweet sound. The suona [Chinese oboe] artist did such an exquisite job that it sounds better than the oboe, deeper, broader, and with more emotion.”
Mr. Chou also remarked about the coordination between the dancing and the music, saying, “I couldn't see even the slightest mistake!”
Mr. Chou paid close attention to the performance, noting that “Although many subtle details happened in a split second, like the stage lighting and the movements in the 'Mongolian Bowl Dance,' they were the essence that made you go ‘Wow!’
He was inspired by “The tenor who sings about a man that eventually shall return to heaven. I share that same thought because I am a Buddhist and I believe that. The singing makes me want to return to where I come from even more.
“In the last scene when I saw a sea of Falun Gong practitioners sit down together, I was really emotional. I received a very special energy that can bring everyone together,” Mr. Chou concluded.
General Manager “Deeply Touched by Shen Yun's Lyrics”
Wu Chun-Cheng, general manager of the Jinchun Investment Company (Photo courtesy to The Epoch Times)
This was Wu Chun-Cheng's third time seeing Shen Yun, however, he said the show is so beautiful that one should see it at least five times.
He praised the orchestra, saying, “With a Western orchestra base, it has the [majestic] feelings of a symphony, while representing Chinese [traditional] music. The coordination of the dance and the orchestra is just flawless.”
Mr. Wu is the general manager of the Jinchun Investment Company and a board member of Feng Chi Biotech Corp.
He said that Shen Yun's lively presentation of Chinese culture “vividly presents classic Chinese masterpieces, such as Journey to the West, and 'Outlaws of the Marsh,' through drama [dance]. It is splendid. These kinds of programs are worth promoting.”
Mr. Wu said that the folk dances of the different regions portrayed in the show were all “created by innovative choreography, accompanied by classical music of Chinese and Western musical instruments.
“I like it very much. Of course, the dancers’ postures and skills are so outstanding that no praise is high enough to describe them. Combined with the vocal performance and the lyrics, it gave us a very enjoyable feast for the eyes and ears.
“I’ve read traditional poems, so I was deeply touched by the lyrics of the songs. The lyrics were matched with pictures [on the backdrop].”
Mr. Wu was deeply touched by tenor Tian Ge's lyrics, saying, “The last vocal performance particularly emphasized the Buddha principles [Dafa]. I think people pay more attention to utilitarianism in modern society. So such songs can purify their hearts. The lyrics were just touching people deeply, but it’s difficult to describe the feelings with words.”
Mr. Wu said that Shen Yun has opened his eyes for the second time. “I can say that I was just stunned. I was very, very surprised. I often tell my relatives and friends that they must come and see Shen Yun.
“Whether from the perspective of music, dance, cultural connotation, or from the point of view of faith; principles of Buddha, and so forth, it is worth watching. In addition, it can return beauty to society as well as purify people’s hearts!”
Source: theEpochTimes.com
Category: Shen Yun Performing Arts
