Leaders Across the Globe Honor Shen Yun: “Closer to Divinity”

(Minghui.org) Shen Yun Performing Arts presented 44 performances in thirteen cities in the Americas, Europe, and Asia during the week of April 14–21, 2025. Throughout April, elected leaders in various nations have experienced Shen Yun and applaud the Shen Yun artists’ dedication and talents.

Argentinian Leaders Commend Shen Yun: “Elevates the Human Being”

Shen Yun World Company at a full house at the Teatro Ópera in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the evening of April 17

Carlos Ruckauf and his wife (The Epoch Times)

Former Argentine Vice President Carlos Ruckauf and his wife saw Shen Yun in Buenos Aires on April 17.

“The performance is spectacular, and its resistance to communism is equally commendable,” Mr. Ruckauf remarked.

Shen Yun’s portrayal of China’s spiritual reverence for the divine resonated with Mr. Ruckauf. “These principles are fundamental. In today’s materialistic world, having such spirituality is crucial,” he said.

The former vice president added, “I feel connected to these values, and the feeling persists. I also experienced beauty.”

“Everything about the performance impressed me, especially the ‘Water Sleeves’ dance, so graceful and unforgettable,” he said.

Addressing the Shen Yun artists directly, Mr. Ruckauf said: “Your performance is so brilliant and captivating—truly remarkable!”

Marcela Campagnoli (NTD Television)

Marcela Campagnoli, Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, saw Shen Yun in Buenos Aires on April 17.

“My biggest feeling was the emotional impact of the performance. The rigor of the art, the performers’ devotion to the performance, and the divinity that touches the heart, really deeply moved me. I am also a person with a pursuit for divinity, so all of this really resonated with me,” she said.

Beltrán Benedit (NTD Television)

Beltrán Benedit, a national deputy of Argentina, saw Shen Yun in Buenos Aires on April 17.

“I had heard many praises of this show, but you have to see it, really,” Mr. Benedit said.

“It is a delight for the eyes, the ears, and the spirit with all that it conveys,” he added.

Mr. Benedit said the performance “conveys a lot of freedom, a lot of tolerance, a lot of kindness, and elevates the human being in their natural qualities that today in many places in the world are not allowed to be expressed.”

“The truth is, I cannot find words to describe everything they have given us and how we rejoice in having enjoyed them during these impeccable two hours,” he said.

Canadian Officials Honor Shen Yun: “Thank You Very Much”

Shen Yun New Era Company at a packed house at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Canada, on the afternoon of April 19

The Lieutenant Governor of Ottawa, Edith Dumont (center), presented a proclamation to Shen Yun at their performance at the National Arts Centre on April 19. (NTD Television)

Edith Dumont, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, presented Shen Yun with a proclamation and saw the performance on April 19.

“It is my first time, and it was absolutely beautiful. I did learn a lot about [Chinese] history,” Ms. Dumont said.

“It’s stories that go to your heart,” she said.

Mona-Lysa Din (left) presented a commendation on behalf of Member of Parliament Dan Muys at the FirstOntario Concert Hall in Hamilton on April 16. (NTD Television)

Shen Yun International Company at a packed house at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary, Canada, on the evening of April 16 (The Epoch Times)

Shuv Majumdar (NTD Television)

Shuv Majumdar, Canadian Member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage, saw Shen Yun in Calgary on April 15. Following the performance, Mr. Majumdar presented a congratulatory letter to the organizers and artists of Shen Yun on site.

“I’m very grateful to be back this year and to see such beautiful art on such a wonderful display,” Mr. Majumdar said.

“I’m deeply moved. I am always stunned at how beautiful and brilliant the human spirit can be, no matter how hard or how heavy the gathering darkness has been. And in this time, in this era, that promise of freedom, that promise of liberty, that promise of good, is one that we need to connect even more with. And so I feel deeply moved and deeply inspired by what I saw today.

“Anywhere in the world, when you see the Chinese diaspora in Canada and anywhere else, you see them thriving and succeeding, almost disproportionately so. The traditional values of the Chinese people have far eclipsed any communist regime that tries to suppress it.

“The truth is, we saw what the Chinese people can do when given an opportunity to breathe and to animate life with art and with science and creativity and nobility. And so the message is powerful that this cultural tradition of the Chinese people is one that enriches our Canadian life and one that will long outlast whatever tyranny in Beijing has existed, especially.

“Congratulations to the artists, designers, the musicians. Congratulations. The kind of work that goes into making such a beautiful production like this was evident today. Stay strong, as there are those who are trying to undo who you are and what you present to the world. Stay strong and continue to be a source of beauty and light in a world that has grave and gathering darkness everywhere. Thank you very much for the work that you’ve done,” Mr. Majumdar said.

Swedish Elected Officials Welcome Shen Yun

Prior to Shen Yun’s performances in Sweden’s Stockholm and Linköping in April, the company received a joint welcome statement signed by: (left to right, top to bottom) Members of the Swedish Parliament: M. Berglund, C. Brodin, A. Christiansson, S. Eklöf , J. A. Ericson, L. J. Fornarve, D. Josefsson, H. Storckenfeldt, E. Hellsborn, N. G. A. Pour, B. Söder, M. Wiechel, and B. Åberg; Member of Municipal Council E. Lann; and former Member of the Parliament N. Malmberg. (The Epoch Times)

Shen Yun Touring Company at the Cirkus Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, on the evening of April 19, where a number of theatergoers from other Swedish regions and other countries were also in attendance

Lotta Johnsson Fornarve and her husband (The Epoch Times)

Member of Parliament Lotta Johnsson Fornarve and her husband saw Shen Yun in Stockholm on April 20.

“I enjoyed the amazing and beautiful performance, and it was interesting to learn more about Chinese culture. All forms of culture must be allowed and I think it is wrong to try to stop Shen Yun performances. Culture is important to people all over the world and it is important to preserve it,” she said.

French Brigadier General: “Closer to Divinity”

Shen Yun New York Company at a full house at the Palais des Congrès de Paris in Paris, France, on the evening of April 16 (The Epoch Times)

Daniel Personne (NTD Television)

Daniel Personne, a brigadier general in the French army, saw Shen Yun in Paris on April 18.

“Everything we had never seen before was vividly presented before our eyes. This was the first time we saw Chinese civilization before communism,” he said.

“We felt very clearly that the artists were inspired by God, especially in the programs, and in every program, we could feel this inspiration from God. We felt closer to divinity,” Mr. Personne said.

American Elected Officials Enjoy and Honor Shen Yun

Shen Yun New World Company at a packed house at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine, on April 1

Poppy and Loren Arford (The Epoch Times)

Poppy Arford, a member of the Maine House of Representatives representing District 101, said after seeing the performance in Portland on April 1, “Amazing. We are grateful that this arts company could bring such a wonderful performance to Maine.”

Marshall Archer and his daughter (NTD Television)

Marshall Archer, Maine State Representative representing District 129, said after seeing the performance in Portland, “I would say, keep on telling your story. We’re a world of many different stories, and to be silenced is not applicable. Tell your story the way you feel appropriate, whether it’s in words, whether it’s in testimony, whether it’s written or in dance.”

Shen Yun returned to Massachusetts’ Worcester and Boston during March 29–April 6 this season, and received recognitions from elected officials including: (left to right, top to bottom) U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch, State Senator Michael O. Moore (on behalf of the Senate), State Representative Sean Garballey, State Representative David F. DeCoste, Mayor of Medford Breanna Lungo-Koehn, and Mayor of Quincy Thomas P. Koch. (Minghui.org)

For more information about performance times, locations, and tickets, please visit www.shenyun.com.