(Clearwisdom.net) On March 10, 2009 Shen Yun Performing Arts opened its first show at National Chung Cheng University in Chiayi County in Taiwan, where the world famous Alishan National Scenic Area is located. Chiayi residents, who have been awaiting the show since last year, finally got a chance to enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful artistic performance of Shen Yun. The show drew people from all walks of life, including politicians, doctors, academics, and artists. Thunderous applause erupted from time to time during the show, and the audience was totally captivated by and enthusiastic about the show.

Outside the door of the auditorium were flags flying in the breeze and congratulatory flower baskets from local politicians, academics, and charitable organizations. Those who sent flower baskets included the following: (Legislative Yuan member) Jiang Yixiong; (Chiayi County Magistrate) Chen Mingwen, (Chiayi City Mayor) Huang Ming-Hui, (FTV founder) Cai Tongrong, (Chiayi County Council Secretary) Yu Zhengda and (Deputy Secretary) Zhang Mingda, (National Chiayi University President) Lee Ming-Jen, (Tatung Institute of Commerce and Technology President) Chien Shuan-Po, (China Youth Corps Chiayi Branch Director) Chen Xiyan, (Chiayi County Council Member) Lai Chaolun, (Minxiong Township Head) Chen Fucheng, (Minxiong Township Representative Committee Chair) He Congqi and (Vice Chair) He Yuanyi, and (Chiayi City Council Secretary) Zhang Zhicheng.

Flower Basket from Chiayi City Mayor Huang Ming-Hui

Flower Basket from Chiayi County Council Secretary and Deputy Secretary

Flower Basket from Chiayi City Council Secretary Zhang Zhicheng

Full house at the first Shen Yun show in Chiayi Drew Full House

Chiayi is an agricultural county, and performing arts groups seldom visit, so the Shen Yun show has created a sensation and drawn people from all walks of life. Many people in Taichung or Tainan that missed the shows in their areas, came to Chiayi to see it. As a result, the tickets were almost sold out. The seats at the extreme left and extreme right areas of the auditorium have some blind spots and generally are not for sale. However, since so many people wanted tickets, the auditorium made an exception to sell tickets in these sections as well.

Shen Yun is scheduled to perform 37 shows from February 20 to March 22 in Tainan, Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, Kaohsiung, and Hsinchu, making Taiwan the top country in terms of the number of Shen Yun shows. After news of the shows was announced, many people realized that the Chiayi show in March was to take place right during the cherry blossom season in Alishan. Sensing the opportunity, many travel agencies began to promote travel packages featuring Shen Yun shows as well as the blooming of the cherry blossoms.

Cai Mingliang (Director of Chiayi Branch of Taiwan District of Kiwanis International) and Fan Jincai (Chair of Children's Committee of Chiayi Family Support Center) together donated 40 tickets to the Center to invite children from low-income families to the show. Cai Mingliang said, "Never underestimate the impact of the power of the mind that can affect a person's life." Chiayi Family Support Center Director Shen Mingyan said that, at this difficult time, what the public needs most is mind power. Shen hoped that the Shen Yun show could warm low-income families' hearts and inspire them to look at the world with a positive attitude and move forward.

When the curtain rose on March 10 and the dazzling scenes appeared in front of the audience's eyes, applause erupted. During the intermission and at the end of the show, many theatergoers shared their thoughts about the show.

Wife of Chiayi County Magistrate: The Essence of Chinese Classical Dance Is Traditional Chinese Culture

Liao Suhui is the wife of Chiayi County Magistrate Chen Mingwen. seemed totally stunned by the show. She said she was especially impressed with the program titled "The Poet's Vision." She commented, "I was really struck by the scene with the poet lying drunk under the moonlight with fairy ladies dancing in the background. That serenity was so beautiful that it made me feel like I was in a heavenly world."

Liao Suhui, wife of Chiayi County Magistrate Chen Mingwen

Ms. Liao used to think that folk dance was a good representation of classic Chinese dance. After watching the show, she came to realize that the essence of classical dance is the incorporation of traditional Chinese culture into the dance movements. She said, "I saw today that the show featured ancient stories and folklore. Many scenes were really lively. I had the urge to jump up on the stage to ascend with the dancers to Heaven." She thought that the show was very pure and innocent and gave people a new outlook. She said she would strongly encourage teachers and students to see the inspiring show.

Ms. Liao also had great admiration for the vivid, high-tech digital backdrops, which "combined deities and dancers together, and made people feel heaven and earth assimilate into each other seamlessly."

Former Yunlin County KMT Committee Chair Xu Shubo: The Show's Educational Components Bring Hope

Former Yunlin County Kuomintang (KMT) Committee Chair Xu Shubo and his wife came to the show together. He said, "The educational components of the show bring hope to everyone, especially given today's economy. No matter what difficulties you are facing, [you] know that Gods and Buddhas are watching over and protecting you. Never give up hope."

Former Yunlin County KMT Committee Chair Xu Shubo and his wife

Xu was especially moved by the program titled "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution." He mentioned the change in costume of the victim during his ascension to Heaven, pointing out that "through costume change people can understand the inner meaning of the program." His wife said the digital backdrop worked very well to help reveal the inner meaning. When she saw the victim walk into Heaven, shown on the backdrop, she was really impressed.

Former Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center Superintendent: The Show Benefits Society

Lin Shinn-Zong is a professor at China Medical University and a former superintendent of Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center. He came to the show at the invitation of one of his colleagues. He has always held it as a personal motto to treat patients' mental as well as physical sickness, and has been studying the relationship between one's mind and health. He said, "Such a high caliber show really benefits society, which is the essence of traditional Chinese culture."

Lin Shinn-Zong, China Medical University professor

It was the first time Professor Lin's had ever seen a dance program like "Dance of the Snow-Capped Mountain." He said, "The movements of the male dancers are really inspiring and moving. The songs and dances were all well designed." Overall, the programs "were very creative, and the visual effects of the costumes and choreography were spectacular and really pleasing to the eyes."

According to Professor Lin, the Shen Yun show helps promote traditional Chinese culture and is really worth recommending to everyone.

Nanhua University President Lin Zhenyang: Chinese Culture's Essence Lies in Its Magical Skills

Lin Zhenyang, President of Nanhua University, and two university professors came to the show together. President Lin said, "Shen Yun's presentation of traditional Chinese culture is unprecedented and beyond imagination." All three of them greatly admired the dancers.

President Lin was struck that Shen Yun could tell the story of the Monkey King through classic Chinese dance. He said, "The show is really wonderful and the audience can see the ancient Chinese culture at play. Music, dance, and costumes are all very special--fabulous, with profound inner meanings. In 'Dance of the Snow-Capped Mountain,' the costumes and digital backdrop background matched perfectly with each other. The use of color is amazing.

"Shen Yun makes us feel that all of society is under the protection of Buddhas."

Writers Association Consultant: What Moves Me Most Is the Creativity of Shen Yun

Yang Xiongfei is a consultant for Chiayi Writers' Association. He said, "What moves me most is the creativity of the show. I've never seen anything like this. The use of a digital backdrop to present the background picture of each program is spectacular. For instance, a person coming out of the moon on the backdrop is refreshing."

Yang really enjoyed the sophisticated dance skills and movements. He said that the "Dance of the Snow-Capped Mountain" and "Flowing Sleeves" were pleasant and relaxing. In addition to aesthetically enjoying the show, he also sensed the depth of traditional Chinese culture reflected in the show. Even though he had never been to Tibet, the "Dance of the Snow-Capped Mountain" gave him a wonderful virtual tour and experience of the Tibetan culture.

As a writer, he was very moved by the 5000-year-old, rich culture presented by the show. He thought the very first program "The Five Millennia Begins" was stunning and made him immediately feel the dignity of being part of a great culture. After all, "How many countries can boast a culture with a 5000-year history?"

Considering the global financial crisis, Yang thought the public especially needs a peaceful culture to guide them. He said, "The Shen Yun show has a positive impact on society and can guide everyone towards kindness. I have no doubt that Shen Yun has spent tremendous amounts of effort in designing programs that purify people's minds."

Director of Ruting Dance Company: Very Moved When the Curtain Went up

Chen Chunrong is the director of Ruting Dance Company. After seeing an advertisement for the show, she and her husband came to watch the show. During intermission, she talked to the reporter while wiping away tears of excitement, "It's really awesome! Terrific! I was so touched as soon as the curtain went up."

Director of Ruting Dance Company Chen Chunrong

She continued, "I felt very relaxed and touched. It's the first time I've ever seen such programs. These dancers have great skills. Their movements are very correct and elegant. Wonderful!" Before she finished, she asked for more tissues from her husband to wipe her tears. "I'm just so moved! Seeing the Buddha image is so touching! Very elegant and graceful. Fantastic!"