North American Officials Honor Shen Yun in Person: “So Well Earned”

(Minghui.org) As Shen Yun tours across the United States and Canada, the company consistently receives recognition and congratulatory remarks from government officials at various levels. Some officials come to see the performances and present the congratulations in person.

Canadian Officials Welcome Shen Yun

Shen Yun kicked off its nine-city, 38-show Canada tour on March 21 at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.

John Kovac (left), councilor and deputy mayor of the City of Mississauga, presents Shen Yun with a Certificate of Recognition. (NTD Television)

John Kovac, councilor and deputy mayor of the City of Mississauga, attended the performance at the Living Arts Centre on March 21 and presented a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of Mayor Carolyn Parrish. Mr. Kovac said after watching the performance, “I really do feel the culture came through. It shone in a way that was both magical and memorable... I’m holding this booklet over here [the evening’s program book] and I’m going to treasure this as well.”

Besides the City of Mississauga, the office of Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care of Ontario, also extended congratulatory remarks and sent a representative to present the recognition in person on March 21.

Shen Yun received recognition from the following Canadian officials: (left to right, top to bottom) Member of Parliament (M.P.) Elizabeth May, Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith, John McKay, M.P., Marilyn Gladu, M.P., Yvan Baker, M.P., Brad Vis, M.P., Greg McLean, M.P., Blaine Calkins, M.P., Dane Lloyd, M.P., Michael Cooper, M.P., Rachael Thomas, M.P., Shannon Stubbs, M.P., Shuv Majumdar, M.P., Ziad Aboultaif, M.P., Dr. Colin Carrie, M.P., Mayor of West Vancouver Mark Sager, Mayor of Calgary Jyoti Gondek, and Calgary City Councilor Andre Chabot.

Member of Parliament Elizabeth May wrote in her message, “Despite facing persecution from a Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-led global anti-Falun Gong/Shen Yun campaign, including unprecedented threats and disinformation, the Shen Yun tour continues to spread its values of compassion, freedom and cultural diversity. These performances exemplify the 5000-year rich arts and culture in China.”

Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith wrote, “Our province is pleased to welcome the talented artists of Shen Yun once again for performances in Edmonton and Calgary. The arts are an important part of our culture and economy, and this colorful epic performance is a wonderful way for Albertans to experience Chinese culture and legend through music and dance.”

New Jersey Elected Officials Honor Shen Yun

New Brunswick public information officer Bert Baron (right) presents a proclamation on behalf of Mayor James Cahill. (The Epoch Times)

At Shen Yun’s performance at the State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick on March 22, the city’s public information officer Bert Baron presented a proclamation on behalf of Mayor James Cahill. Mr. Baron said after seeing the performance, “It’s just an incredible experience, the costumes, the music, the feeling that you get, it’s so encapsulating. It’s so overwhelming. It’s good versus evil, and it’s just a reminder of just how much good exists in this world today.

“It’s an important message of spirituality and love and the importance of just being kind. Kindness is the best, best religion in the world. Let’s just be kind to one another. And this message and this show reminds us of the importance of the message of simple kindness,” he said.

Prior to Shen Yun’s performances in New Jersey, the company received congratulatory remarks from the following local officials: (left to right, top to bottom) Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy, U.S. Congressman Jefferson Van Drew, Congressman Thomas Kean Jr., Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, President of New Jersey State Senate Nicholas Scutari, Speaker of New Jersey General Assembly Craig Coughlin, members of the Essex County Board of County Commissioners, Mayor of New Brunswick James M. Cahill, and Mayor of Newark Ras J. Baraka. (The Epoch Times)

California Officials Present Proclamations to Artists

Letter from California Assembly Member Phillip Chen (The Epoch Times)

California Assemblyman Phillip Chen wrote in his letter, “On behalf of the California State Assembly, I am honored to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Shen Yun Performing Arts on the occasion of your 2025 World Tour in the Greater Los Angeles area. Your dedication to reviving and sharing the essence of 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese culture through classical dance and music is truly commendable.”

Some of the recognitions Shen Yun received from California officials were on display during the performances at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (The Epoch Times)

Escondido City Council member Judy Fitzgerald (center) presents the Shen Yun artists with a proclamation on behalf of the City of Escondido. (NTD Television)

Escondido City Council member Judy Fitzgerald presented Shen Yun with a proclamation on behalf of the City of Escondido on March 13. She said after seeing the performance, “It was a fantastic show—it was so vibrant, rich in culture, and also just a story that it told through dance and expression. It was fascinating. I’m so glad that I came.”

Jason Bercovitch (first from right), district director for Congressman Scott Peters (D-Calif.), presents Shen Yun artists a proclamation on behalf of the congressman’s office. (NTD Television)

Jason Bercovitch, district director for Congressman Scott Peters (D-Calif.), presented Shen Yun artists a proclamation on behalf of the congressman’s office at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, on March 14. “Everybody should come see it. First of all, it’s a great combination of dance, of art, of culture, and of music, but at the same time, you can really learn something,” Mr. Bercovitch said after seeing Shen Yun.

San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson (first from right) presents Shen Yun artists with a proclamation on behalf of San Diego County. (NTD Television)

San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson presented Shen Yun artists with a proclamation on behalf of San Diego County on March 19 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. “I’m so pleased to be here today. I just saw the performance—it was absolutely fantastic,” said Mr. Anderson.

“And I just want to say it’s so well earned after watching your performance. I’m so pleased to present this proclamation to you,” he added.

Jenny Maeda, Poway City Council member, presented the artists with a proclamation on March 19. (NTD Television)

Jenny Maeda, Poway City Council member, saw Shen Yun in Escondido on March 19 and presented the artists with a proclamation. “It was a huge masterpiece and a feast for the eyes and the ears,” she said.

“I just want to say that while I grew up in a city where I was the only Asian family and so I missed out on a lot of this, the cultural heritage and experiencing what my ancestors had, and so I’m really thankful that they preserve this for us and that I’m able to kind of catch up now,” she said.

“It was just a very hopeful message, very positive, uplifting,” Ms. Maeda concluded.

San Marcos City Councilwoman Danielle LeBlang (center) presented a special commendation for the artists at the performance in Escondido on March 15. (NTD Television)

Citation from U.S. Senator Prior to Maryland Performances

Citation issued by Christopher Van Hollen Jr., United States Senator from Maryland (The Epoch Times)

Christopher Van Hollen Jr., United States Senator from Maryland, issued a citation prior to Shen Yun’s performances in Baltimore on March 15 and 16. The citation was presented to Shen Yun, “In recognition of its efforts to share traditional Chinese culture in an entertaining, educational and inspiring format.”

Missouri State Representative Presents Resolution

Missouri State Representative Ben Keathley (left) presents Shen Yun a state resolution in St. Louis on March 15. (The Epoch Times)

Missouri State Representative Ben Keathley presented Shen Yun with a state resolution at opening night at the Stifel Theatre in St. Louis on March 15. “I’m here today with all of you, and I’ll present you with this resolution on behalf of the Missouri House of Representatives and Speaker of the House John Patterson, along with Representatives Holly Jones, Justin Sparks, Tara Peters, Becky Laubinger, and myself,” Mr. Keathley said before the performance, gifting the artists with a framed copy of the state resolution.

“We very much appreciate all your work and we wish you all the best of luck. Thank you!” he said.

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