(Minghui.org) The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts will unveil its brand new 2024 program in Nagoya, Japan, on December 22, 2023. The Shen Yun New York Company arrived in Nagoya on December 19 and received a warm welcome by local fans at the airport.
The Shen Yun New York Company arrived in Nagoya, Japan, on December 19. (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun artists welcomed by fans at the airport. Fans with flowers and balloons held signs that read, “Welcome Shen Yun to Japan,” “Shen Yun is the best,” and “Touched.” (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun Performers Look Forward to Performing in Japan
Principal dancer Nara Oose
Principal dancer Nara Oose was born in Japan. She said that she has a special feeling each time she returns to Japan to perform and understands how much the people in Japan are anticipating Shen Yun. Regarding the brand new production, she said, “There were some breakthroughs in some areas. I believe the audience will like these effects presented on stage and be moved by them.
“Music is the soul of the dance. Shen Yun’s music combines the essence of Eastern and Western music. This special feature is something that other shows do not have,” Nara said. She said that while she is dancing, she is often touched by Shen Yun’s music and it brings out her inner feelings. She believes that the audience members will also have this kind of unforgettable experience.
Principal dancer Anna Huang
Principal dancer Anna Huang said that she was very happy to be performing in Japan. She said that she has performed in different places in Japan and the country’s traditional architecture and streets seemed familiar to her. She said, “The cultural depth presented in Shen Yun resonated with Japanese audiences, which left a deep impression on me.
“I can feel that Japanese audiences are liking Shen Yun more and more,” Anna said. She recalled that at the beginning of Shen Yun’s world tours, Japanese audiences were relatively reserved, like when they clapped. However, in recent years, the audiences have been very dynamic. “They would unreservedly express their feelings and excitement. While on stage, I could feel a kind of tacit resonance and oneness with the audience,” she said.
Emcee Jared Madsen
Emcee Jared Madsen has been to Japan numerous times. “China’s five-thousand-year traditional culture is universal values and can be accepted by both the East and West,” he said.
Regarding the Shen Yun dancers’ renown for synchronization and difficult techniques, Jared said, “The whole stage is one movement—this is something very difficult to achieve. Dancers usually only think about themselves. But we have to think about the whole group and the performers must not think only of themselves. Only when you think about the whole group can you create this kind of artistic performance that exceeds individualism.”
Local Theatergoers Await New Production
This year, Shen Yun will be presenting a total of 42 performances in 11 cities in Japan from December 22–February 16.
Kentaro Inagaki, who works with Shen Yun’s local presenter, said, “Because Shen Yun’s programs come out of traditional culture, they can awaken people’s innate kindness. Watching Shen Yun during the New Year can energize a person, enabling them to welcome the upcoming year with a renewed, positive mindset.”
Some performers at a well-known theater company in Japan have said that seeing Shen Yun has become a recent hot topic in their company, and current and retired performers go to see the performance every year.
A number of Japanese fans left comments on Shen Yun’s Facebook page, expressing their anticipation. “Booked tickets this year as well. Very much looking forward to this year’s performance,” wrote one fan. Another fan who had seen the performance four times wrote that they planned to invite family and friends to see Shen Yun with them this year, to spend “a wonderful time that nourishes the soul.”
Largest Tour Expected for Shen Yun’s New Season
This season, Shen Yun’s eight touring companies will be presenting nearly 800 performances in around 200 cities in over 20 countries across five continents.
Besides the New York Company, Shen Yun’s touring companies will also begin their tours at the end of December: in Houston, Texas, on December 26; in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on December 26; in Florence, Italy, on December 27; in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 28; in San Jose, California, on December 29; in Dallas, Texas, on December 29; and in Birmingham, the United Kingdom, on December 29.
In the Americas, Shen Yun will be performing in four provinces in Canada, 43 states and the District of Columbia in the U.S., as well as in Latin American nations including Brazil and Mexico. Shen Yun will also be performing in Puerto Rico for the first time. (The Epoch Times)
In Europe, Shen Yun will be performing in over 50 cities in at least 12 countries. (The Epoch Times)
In Asia, Shen Yun will be performing in 17 cities in Japan and Taiwan. (The Epoch Times)
In Australia, Shen Yun is scheduled to perform in six cities. (The Epoch Times)
Texas House of Representatives Passes Resolution Honoring Shen Yun
Prior to Shen Yun’s performances in Houston, the Texas House of Representatives passed resolution TX HR48, honoring Shen Yun and proclaiming December 26, 2023, “Shen Yun Day.” This resolution was sponsored by Representative Dr. Tom Oliverson.
Texas State Representative Dr. Tom Oliverson, sponsor of TX HR48 (official website of the Texas House of Representatives)
TX HR48, a resolution passed on December 5, honoring Shen Yun and proclaiming December 26, 2023, “Shen Yun Day.”
The resolution reads, “...be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby honor Shen Yun Performing Arts as it embarks on its 2024 world tour in Houston and recognize December 26, 2023, as Shen Yun Day; and, be it further
“RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Shen Yun Performing Arts as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.”
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