Asia-Pacific Bids Farewell to Shen Yun

Having just completed 11 shows at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre May 6, Shen Yun wraps up its three-month sojourn in Asia-Pacific with two performances in Hawaii today and tomorrow.

Through classical Chinese dance, music, and costumes, Shen Yun's New York Company shared cherished traditional Chinese culture and values with audiences in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Australia.

One of this season’s highlights was Taiwan, where Shen Yun performed over a month of shows for enthusiastic audiences. Theaters were packed night after night, as Taiwanese purchased tickets months in advance to secure seats for family and friends. During one stretch, Shen Yun played 20 times in 17 days.

“We feel that Chinese culture has been increasingly forgotten,” said Mr. Chen Wen-chin, president of the Bade Rotary International Club, after watching the show in Taiwan’s Taoyuan.  “But seeing Shen Yun made me feel that the long lost traditional values have been retrieved all of a sudden,” he said. “It really moved me at the bottom of my heart.”

Throughout Asia-Pacific, Shen Yun also drew audiences from mainland China, where the company still cannot perform today.  Even some Chinese officials have been flying to other countries especially to see Shen Yun.

“As traditional culture is dying out, the moral standard in China is declining,” said Mr. Lu, a mainlander, after watching the show. “Shen Yun is definitely China’s hope.” He and his wife were particularly touched by the sacredness of the last piece—Before Disaster, The Divine Is Rescuing.

In Australia, many non-Chinese enjoyed the spiritual aspects of ancient Chinese culture. Watching the opening sequence and the grand battle between heavenly warriors and the evil red dragon, Sister Maria from Sydney drew inspiration. “When there is an evil spirit it affects the whole world, not just those in China—that’s why it’s the responsibility of all of us to get rid of it.”

Rob Thompson, a graphic designer from New Zealand, went so far as to say the performance was “like finding the meaning of life.” He found joy in ancient Chinese philosophy, saying that, through dance, Shen Yun’s “performances express beauty, creativity, and happiness of life.”

Tokyo Governor Shintarō Ishihara extended his sincerest welcome to Shen Yun, wishing the performances in Japan a great success, especially since last year Shen Yun was unable to perform due to the tsunami.

In Korea, Shen Yun left a deep impression on the artistic community. Renowned screenwriter of the popular Korean TV series Dae Jang Geum, Ms. Kim Young Hyun, was inspired by the “seamless coordination of music, images and dance.”

Shen Yun's New York Company returns to the U.S. for its final performances of the season at Honolulu’s Blaisdell Concert Hall tonight and tomorrow. Meanwhile, Shen Yun's International Company will be performing in San Antonio’s Lila Cockrell Theatre, and Shen Yun's Touring Company will be at Philadelphia’s Merriam Theater and Buffalo’s Shea’s Performing Arts Center.