(Minghui.org) In the first week of January 2024, Shen Yun Performing Arts continued its world tour with performances in twelve cities in Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States.
Shen Yun New York Company performed to a packed house at the Omiya Sonic City in Saitama, Japan, on January 6. (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun Is Well Received in Italy’s Cagliari
After Shen Yun performed in Cagliari, Italy, two years ago, the show’s reputation spread widely among the local residents. As a result, the company’s three performances in Cagliari during January 3–5 were sold out ten days prior to the performances.
Shen Yun Global Company at the Teatro Lirico in Cagliari, the capital of Italian island Sardinia, on the evening of January 5. The company presented three performances to full houses in Cagliari on January 3–5. The performers took three bows after each performance. (The Epoch Times)
“Unparalleled”
“Unparalleled. I can’t find a better description,” said Mr. Mannino.
“The tenor and the soprano were unparalleled… The lyrics were captivating. What’s important is that they reminded people not to forget that spirituality is far above the material level,” he said.
Pierluigi Mannino, member of Cagliari’s City Council, at the Shen Yun performance in Cagliari on the evening of January 3 (NTD Television)
“Truly Extraordinary”
“This performance is truly extraordinary. Not only are the artists highly skilled, the messages delivered onsite are also exceptional,” Mr. Angius said.
He said of the values presented in the performance: “These are universal values that echo with a very old culture with a long history, and are closely related to nation, traditions, religious sentiments – these most noble values. These values are undoubtedly completely compatible with the values that we treasure.”
“I send my best wishes (to Shen Yun), hoping that they can continue, and continue to use this method to widely spread and allow these traditions to be revived and passed on,” he said.
Giorgio Angius, deputy mayor of Cagliari, at the Shen Yun performance in Cagliari on the evening of January 4 (NTD Television)
“I’d Like to Express My Admiration and Support”
“As a Westerner, I’d like to express my admiration and support for the valor, courage, and determination of these extraordinary interpreters of ancient Chinese culture,” Mr. Mura said.
“What left a deep impression on me was that although they’ve suffered China’s dictatorship’s suppression, they still have the courage to spread traditional culture all over the world,” he said.
Fabio Mura, administrative officer for the City of Alghero, at the Shen Yun performance in Cagliari on the evening of January 3 (NTD Television)
“It Is Our Honor to Have Shen Yun Perform in Cagliari”
Giovanni Chessa, a minister of Tourism and Commerce in Sardinia, saw Shen Yun with a friend on the evening of January 5.
“Shen Yun has traveled all over the world and has performed in the best theatres, so it is our honor to have Shen Yun perform in Cagliari,” said Mr. Chessa.
Mr. Chessa is no stranger to theater, and he shared he has never seen a performance treated with the same sincerity as Shen Yun by its audience.
“Other performances don’t receive the same applause as Shen Yun… [With Shen Yun] every program receives very heartfelt applause. This is applause full of gratitude and joy. Sardinians very much appreciate and respect Chinese traditional culture. They use applause to express their love and gratitude,” he said.
Mr. Chessa remarked that Shen Yun’s mission is part of what makes Shen Yun successful.
“The performance makes people feel very intimate and full of gratitude. Those who come to the theater already understand what kind of performance it is. Once you understand the situation, you will buy a ticket. Therefore, China’s traditional culture, ancient history, and the success of Shen Yun are no accident,” he said.
“People want to hear and see the stories and truths shown by Shen Yun. This performance evokes freedom and respect for human values. I can feel this from the intensity of the applause,” shared Mr. Chessa.
“I like [Shen Yun] very much. The superb skills of the dancers left a deep impression on me. The female dancers danced gracefully, and they danced so beautifully,” he said.
He also spoke about Shen Yun’s depiction of the ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners.
“Falun Dafa, as a spiritual belief, inspires people to respect nature and God’s laws. As a human being, this is how it should be,” said Mr. Chessa.
“Today, such things are still happening. This is absolutely intolerable. We are fortunate to live in a democratic world, but unfortunately, elsewhere in the world, there is no basic respect for personal values.
“We all come from heaven, and the important thing is that we have spiritual beliefs… Human society is based on values and the true meaning of life. We should respect the value of life, nature, and the value of human beings.
“We oppose violence; long live freedom! We support Shen Yun, support the Chinese people, and support all people who want to live in peace and democracy,” he said.
Giovanni Chessa and a friend at the Shen Yun performance in Cagliari on January 5 (The Epoch Times)
“Wonderful and Touching”
Professional dancer Luana Fanni saw Shen Yun in Cagliari on the evening of January 3.
“The performance was really a surprise for me. It was truly very beautiful, complete, clean, precise, and orderly. The messages delivered were very clear. Very wonderful and touching,” Ms. Fanni said.
“I very much like it… Although I didn’t cry, my emotions kept fluctuating. That was a kind of emotion that was different from the past… They touched my soul and pulled at my heartstrings. They told a lot to our group of people,” he said.
Ms. Fanni said that Shen Yun brought people “hope,” and “inspired people to think and let people believe that only people with faith will have a future.”
Luana Fanni, professional dancer, at the Shen Yun performance in Cagliari on the evening of January 3 (The Epoch Times)
Theatergoers in U.K.’s Oxford Appreciate Shen Yun
All four of Shen Yun’s performances in Oxford, United Kingdom, during January 4–6 were presented to full houses.
Shen Yun New Era Company at the New Theatre in Oxford, United Kingdom, on the evening of January 6. The performers took four bows. The company presented four performances in Oxford January 4–6, all to full houses. (The Epoch Times)
“I Wish More People Could See It”
John Peter Kinkead, filmmaker and owner of Ravenhill films/Hibiscusfilms, saw Shen Yun’s matinee at the New Theatre in Oxford on January 6.
“It was wonderful… You know, I’ve just seen a show which is uplifting, joyful, challenging. It makes you think about the values we have. And this goes back thousands of years and is based on practices thousands of years old,” Mr. Kinkead said.
“Every form of dance draws on what was happening thousands of years ago: classical ballet, jazz, modern dance. I mean, it’s all there, you know: the movements and things. They’ve all happened 5,000 years earlier,” he said.
As an artist, Mr. Kinkead appreciated the vibrant colors and the company’s production quality.
“That’s the other thing that impressed me: the use of color, the costumes… I mean, it’s wonderful. And the technique of the backdrop with people appearing in this arena is brilliant. Very clever… I love the choreography. I love the movement,” he said.
Mr. Kinkead said the stories made him reflect on his personal values. “I think it makes you think about your own faith, your own life, your own perspective,” he said.
Mr. Kinkead had a joyful feeling while watching Shen Yun. “Oh, absolutely. I said in the middle of it, ‘It’s all about joy.’”
The male dancing was happy, he said. “The bit I thought was very joyful was from the mountains, the ethnic dance with the men. I thought that was wonderful. The [way] the men move. I used to be a dancer, not professional, but I did dance. And to see the movement [of the men] so light on their feet. And so were the women—they are just amazing, so I can’t fault it. I wish more people could see it.”
To the performers, who are Falun Gong practitioners, Mr. Kinkead said, “You’re all wonderful. I mean, there’s no question. And, you know, the standard is incredibly high.”
Filmmaker John Peter Kinkead at the Shen Yun performance in Oxford on January 6 (The Epoch Times)
“Great Inspiration”
Paul Curran, an actor, saw Shen Yun with his mother in Oxford on the afternoon of January 6. He said the show was “absolutely fantastic.”
He said Shen Yun provided him with inspiration for an upcoming performance. “I’m about to start a play about Pakistan next week called ‘Lifetimes Three.’ Great, great inspiration,” he said.
Mr. Curran noted the flexibility and strength exhibited on stage. “This really is incredible athleticism. But it was so professional, so colorful, and life-affirming.”
The feeling of compassion throughout the performance was outstanding, Mr. Curran added.
“I think the performing arts are a very useful tool to be able to spread messages of compassion and unity, really. So it’s tremendous—tremendous. I think the company should feel very proud of what they’ve achieved.”
Mr. Curran said the orchestra and vocalists played an important part in the overall performance, especially the Chinese violin. “[The erhu] is extraordinarily evocative and powerful. The two tenor singers were tremendous,” he said.
One tenor gave a beautiful message, Mr. Curran said. “He was singing [something] like ‘only the Creator can save us’ in his lyrics. Faith is the most important thing in life.”
Mr. Curran was impressed with the spiritual message presented at the beginning and the end of Shen Yun’s performance, conveyed in the company’s name as given on their website: “the beauty of divine beings dancing in the heavens.”
“Congratulations! That’s why I think the title of the company is particularly perfect. Very well done,” he said.
Actor Paul Curran and his mother at Shen Yun’s matinee in Oxford on January 6 (The Epoch Times)
San Francisco Audience Members Enjoy Shen Yun’s Artistry and Spirituality
Shen Yun presented four performances at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House during January 4–7. The performances attracted audiences who were new to Shen Yun as well as theatregoers who had seen the performance in the past.
