(Minghui.org) Shen Yun Performing Arts began its 2015 season on December 26, 2014, in Austin Texas and Fort Lauderdale Florida. The performers will travel to over one hundred cities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia in the next four and a half months. As in previous years, Shen Yun has prepared an all-new program, with new dances and music for this year's tour.
Shen Yun is welcomed back to Canada every year. This year, Shen Yun embarked on the Canada leg of the tour, with two shows in Hamilton Ontario, on December 27 and 28. It will be performing 28 shows throughout January in Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Mississauga.
Shen Yun is a dance and music company with the mission of reviving the divinely-inspired Chinese culture. As in prior years, Shen Yun received a warm welcome and best wishes from many levels of the Canadian government. The greetings acclaimed the beauty of the performance, and appreciation for the efforts by Shen Yun performers to revive the five thousand years of Chinese civilization.
Governor General: Contribution to Canada's Diversity
Governor General David Johnson praised the beauty and richness of culture that Shen Yun presents. (Source: Office of the Secretary to the Governor General)
David Johnson, the Governor General of Canada, has sent greetings to Shen Yun for five years.
“For thousands of years, classical Chinese culture has inspired the world with music and dance of remarkable beauty,” wrote Gov. Gen. David Johnston in a greeting letter.
“The Shen Yun Performing Arts show is a wonderful showcase of the richness of this culture, which adds so much to the fabric of our country.”
Prime Minister: “Exquisite presentation of classical dance and music”
Prime Minister of Canada: Stephen Harper (Source: Prime Minister of Canada website)
Greetings letter from Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper, Prime Minster of Canada, wrote in a letter, “I am sure that this beautiful production will be enjoyed by everyone in attendance.”
He described the event as “an exquisite presentation of classical dance and music inspired by 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture.”
Liberal Leader Commends the Rich Culture Presented by Shen Yun
Canadian Liberal Leader: Justin Trudeau
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau was among other government dignitaries who commended the Falun Dafa Association for hosting the shows in Canada, and providing a chance for all Canadians to celebrate Chinese heritage and achievements.
“It is essential to have events such as the Shen Yun show; events which allow Chinese-Canadians to connect with their roots and share their rich history with all Canadians,” Trudeau wrote.
Minister for Multiculturalism: Shen Yun Preserves Cultural Tradition
Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minster for Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney (Source: Prime Minister of Canada website)
The essence of Chinese culture was lost during the Cultural Revolution, and suppressed in the following decades by the Chinese Communist regime. Shen Yun strives to bring to the public eye the ancient virtue and wisdom in Chinese culture, and the true inheritance of Chinese people.
Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minster for Multiculturalism, said in his letter, “The Shen Yun Performing Arts preserves and promotes the cultural tradition while highlighting the diversity of the … Canadian host cities.”
Citizenship and Immigration Minister: Enriching the Communities and the Country
Greeting letter from Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Chris Alexander
This is the second year that Chris Alexander, Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister, has sent greetings to the presenter of the Shen Yun Performing Arts show in Canada.
“The Shen Yun performance is a testament to the impressive development of the Chinese-Canadian community over the past several years,” wrote Chris Alexander.
He thanked the Falun Dafa Association of Canada, the presenter of the Shen Yun shows in Canada, for “their hard work in organizing this event.”
“Through the enthusiasm of the performers, organizers, and participants, we are all fortunate to have the opportunity to appreciate the contributions that you have made to enrich our communities and our country.”
Minister of Health: “Compassion, Courage, and Hope”
Minister of Health Rona Ambrose (Source: Prime Minister of Canada website)
Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, said in her greeting letter, “Shen Yun inspires feelings of compassion, courage, and hope through dances.”
“Traditional Chinese dance and music spans thousands of years – to see that it has been preserved and shared by Shen Yun is inspiring.”
She also mentioned that Health Canada has also been playing a role in spreading Chinese traditions through Traditional Chinese Medicine, as more Canadians use Chinese medicine to maintain their health.
Greeting letter from Rona Ambrose
Minister of Labour Appreciates Efforts of Shen Yun Members
Dr. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, sent greetings to Shen Yun for the second time.
She expressed appreciation to the people who spent a countless amount of time to organize the event. She also thanked the Falun Dafa Association of Canada for making Shen Yun's Canada tour a success.
Member of Parliament: Strengthening Cultural Traditions in Canada
Greeting letter from Wayne Marston, New Democratic Party Member of Parliament representing Hamilton East—Stoney Creek and critic for human rights and consular affairs
Wayne Marston, the New Democratic Party Member of Parliament representing Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, and critic for human rights and consular affairs, wrote in his letter, “The Shen Yun Performing Arts tour is just one example of the way in which the presence of Falun Dafa in Canada enriches and strengthens our own cultural traditions.”
After Shen Yun began its tour in Canada on December 27 in Hamilton, it will continue with performances in Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, and Mississauga from January 2 to January 25. For more information on tickets and dates, please visit shenyun.com.
