(Minghui.org) After the curtain call at a full theater in Stamford, Connecticut, on May 12, Shen Yun Performing Arts concluded its 2024 world tour. This season, Shen Yun’s eight touring companies presented a total of 810 performances in over 200 cities and 20 nations on five continents.
Photos 1 and 2: Shen Yun New Era Company at the Graz Opera in Graz, Austria, on the evening of May 9. The performers took five bows. Tickets for the company’s four performances in Graz May 9–11 were sold out two months in advance. (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun World Company presented its last performance in Amnéville, France, at the Galaxie Amnéville on May 10. Tickets for the four performances in Amnéville May 8–10 were sold out by mid-January of this year. (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun Touring Company’s curtain call at its last performance at the Conjunto Santande Artes Escenicas, Universidad de Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico, on the evening of May 9. The company presented eight performances in Guadalajara April 26–28 and May 7–9, with the last four performances added to the original schedule to meet the demand. All performances were presented to packed theaters. (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun International Company at the Teatro Positivo in Curitiba, Brazil, on the evening of May 8 (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun Global Company presented two performances to packed houses at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, FL, on May 11. (The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun Concludes Europe Tour
Shen Yun World Company returned to New York on May 11 and was welcomed by fans. (The Epoch Times)
This year, Shen Yun World Company presented a total of 72 performances in ten French cities, reaching nearly 150,000 audience members. All of the performances were presented to full houses.
Shen Yun World Company presented one performance at the Forum Leverkusen in Leverkusen, Germany, on May 6. Tickets were sold out two months in advance. This concluded Shen Yun’s 9-city, 37-show Germany tour. (The Epoch Times)
“It’s Very Moving”
Cord Byrd at the Shen Yun performance in Orlando, Florida, on May 11 (The Epoch Times)
Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd saw Shen Yun in Orlando on May 11.
“Oh, it’s wonderful... It’s very moving,” Mr. Byrd said.
“I think it’s a universal message and one that’s very important: that there’s something higher than all of us,” he said.
He said he was impressed with the skill and talent of the artists and the various aspects of stagecraft coming together to create what felt like an interactive experience.
He was also interested to learn about the situation in China today—vastly different in the few decades under communist rule than the thousands of years when the Chinese believed their culture was divinely inspired.
“That’s one thing that’s great about America. Everybody can have freedom of conscience and believe what they want to believe... That’s a message that all countries should take to heart,” Mr. Byrd said.
“Important”
Donald Glascoff at the Shen Yun performance in Stamford, Connecticut on May 12 (NTD Television)
Donald Glascoff, a documentary filmmaker, saw Shen Yun in Stamford, Connecticut, on May 12.
“The storyline shows achieving in the face of adverse situations, not being cowed by evil authority, many storylines that are important to me... Independence, freedom, personal liberty, belief systems, and movement are all important,” he said.
Shen Yun New Era Company Returns from Europe
On May 12, Shen Yun New Era Company returned to the United States after performing 115 shows in Europe. (The Epoch Times)
Principal dancer Marilyn Yang and conductor Yun Chu (The Epoch Times)
“This year we had some really intense schedules. We were in France and we had six days, eight shows for a whole month. Every week was like that. A lot of times your body almost can’t keep up... Falun Dafa really helps us calm down and heal our body when we meditate,” Principal dancer Marilyn Yang said.
Conductor Yun Chu said, “The Europeans’ understanding of the music made me feel great support when I was performing. They would keep clapping, keep clapping, and did not want to leave. In such beautiful theaters with such enthusiastic audiences – we’re very happy.”
“Very In-depth and Very Profound”
Peball Gerolf at the Shen Yun performance in Graz, Austria, on May 10 (NTD Television)
Peball Gerolf, the founder and manager of a civil engineering company, saw Shen Yun in Graz on May 10.
“Perfection was shown there. The control of the body was really unique. The fact that it is different from ballet is already evident in its name. [Shen Yun] means inner beauty, inner expression,” said Mr. Gerolf.
“I am also a person who lives by very high values. These values come from the people, come from culture, and we should take that with us. We have a lot of traditions, be it in China, be it here in Europe—we should hold on to them,” he said.
Mr. Gerolf enjoyed “the scenes where love came to those who simply did good things and not to those who had the money.”
“It was an immersion in another world. It was impressive—it was beautiful. I was surprised by the values it presented. I was almost expecting something more superficial, and it wasn’t at all. It was very in-depth and very profound and very moving,” said Mr. Gerolf.
“Unforgettable”
Gerald Lücking at the Shen Yun performance in Graz on May 10 (NTD Television)
Gerald Lücking, a TV production manager, saw Shen Yun in Graz on May 10.
“I have never experienced this kind of performance before, that combines dance and animation with the background. I especially enjoyed the dazzling brilliance when the curtain opened. The whole theater went dark and then the colors burst out. It was unforgettable,” Mr. Lücking said.
“Amazing from Every Angle”
Sandra Krautwaschl and Peter Rabensteiner at the Shen Yun performance in Graz on May 9 (The Epoch Times)
Sandra Krautwaschl, member of the Styrian state parliament in Austria and spokesperson for the Green Party, and her husband Peter Rabensteiner, a city councilor in Gratwein-Straßengel, saw Shen Yun in Graz on May 9.
“It’s incredible, very impressive, and unprecedented. The performance is really amazing from every angle,” said Ms. Krautwaschl.
“I like it very much. I’m really intoxicated. The difficult skills, the brilliant colors, the women’s performance on stage combined with the choreography, and the wonderful props are really intoxicating and beautiful,” said Mr. Rabensteiner.
The couple shared that they would recommend Shen Yun to their friends and family.“I would recommend it no matter what. In fact, I was completely conquered,” said Ms. Krautwaschl.
Shen Yun International Company Returns from Brazil
On May 13, Shen Yun International Company returned to New York after completing its Brazil tour. (The Epoch Times)
“Curitiba Is Thankful”
Noemia Rocha (second from left) , a Curitba councillor, presented a commendation certificate to Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Teatro Positivo in Curitiba, Brazil, on May 8. (The Epoch Times)
“I was deeply impressed by this performance—the choreography, the skill, the dancers, the amazing orchestra,” Ms. Rocha said.
“The message that I adored, that moved my heart, was the divine intervention in the lives of individuals. It was fostering more love, more empathy, and greater solidarity amongst people,” she shared.
“Curitiba is thankful. I’ll be eagerly awaiting next year to join you once more... Continue to spread this enlightening message and foster this sense of protection and connection among individuals. God bless you,” said Ms. Rocha.
Audiences in Mexico: “Something that Comes from Divinity”
This season, Shen Yun Touring Company presented 14 performances (including added shows) in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Mexico City, reaching over 30,000 audience members.
Fernando Salazar Vicentello and Natalia Paulina de la Torre Sandoval at the Shen Yun performance in Guadalajara on May 7 (NTD Television)
Fernando Salazar Vicentello, a councilor of the Guadalajara City Council, and his wife Natalia Paulina de la Torre Sandoval, a psychologist, saw Shen Yun in Guadalajara on May 7.
“It’s magic. I feel that it’s the way the dancers conduct themselves—it’s something that comes from divinity,” said Mr. Vicentello.
“It made me feel a lot of freedom, a lot of peace, a lot of tranquility,” he said.
“Extraordinary. It’s an event that exceeded all my expectations. Excellent dancers, music, choreography, effects. Extraordinary, unique,” said Ms. Sandoval.
“What I take from it, first of all, is knowing the oriental culture more thoroughly and, above all, that they pass on many values to us. Values and, above all, compassion, kindness—which we need a lot of right now,” said Mr. Vicentello.
Martín Mauricio Cuburu and Ina Maria Quiñonez Gutierrez at the Shen Yun performance in Guadalajara on May 8 (The Epoch Times)
Martin Mauricio Cuburu, a CEO, and his wife Ina Maria Quiñonez Gutierrez saw Shen Yun in Guadalajara on May 8. The couple said that they believe Shen Yun brought hope.
“I think this performance is extremely wonderful, with rich colors and beautiful music, and it fully demonstrates tradition and culture,” said Mr. Cuburu.
“I really like the colors of the show and the girls’ costumes. I am impressed by the precision of all the dances,” said Ms. Gutierrez.
“I was deeply impressed by the diversity of the show, the live music, and the perfect combination of singing and dancing... At the same time, I was also surprised that such a show could not be seen in China,” said Mr. Cuburu.
“Chinese traditional culture has a long history, and there is a lot worth learning from us. I think many traditions are even older than the Christianity we practice, and these traditions enrich our culture and faith,” he said.
Mr. Cuburu also said that he saw “respect for tradition, [and] respect for people” in Shen Yun’s performance.
“I think that’s the most important thing. I saw a deep respect,” he said.
Mr. Cuburu said he learned that “good things will return. We are in a dark time, but light will return, and goodness will come again. To me, that’s the most important thing.”
Rhode Island Elected Officials Welcome Shen Yun
Prior to Shen Yun’s performances in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 11, the company received congratulatory remarks from state and city elected officials.
Citation from Rhode Island Senate
Citation from Rhode Island House of Representatives
Citation from Providence City Council
“I Really Wish We Had Come Before”
John Pires at the Shen Yun performance in Providence on the afternoon of May 11 (NTD Television)
John Pires, who works at a state department of transportation, saw Shen Yun in Providence on the afternoon of May 11.
“We loved it. That takes such athleticism. They’re so fluent. It’s amazing,” Mr. Pires said.
“It’s well-worth coming to. I’m sorry I missed it before now. I really do. I really wish we had come before, and I’m glad we came now,” he said.
Shen Yun North America Company at The Palace Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut, on May 12. All five performances in Stamford May 9–12 were presented to full theaters. (The Epoch Times)
Chinese Nationals Cherish Shen Yun
Mr. Hu at the Shen Yun performance in Stamford on May 9 (NTD Television)
Mr. Hu, a former member of an eastern province’s committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the principal of a private school, saw Shen Yun in Stamford on May 9. He had been in the U.S. for a year.
“Very excited, because this is the first time I see traditional Chinese culture being presented so well,” Mr. Hu said.
“Hope [Shen Yun] returns to China soon and let Chinese audiences also see our program,” he said.
Haifeng, an immigrant from China, saw Shen Yun in Providence on May 11. He had seen Shen Yun multiple times before.
“I knew about Falun Gong practitioners, this group, when I was in China... Such a good performance, such a good group, a very kind group – Why can’t China have this land [for them] and have to force them overseas? What a pity,” he said.
“I think Shen Yun will eventually return to its original land, which is China. I believe it. This is probably the hope of many people. Will definitely happen,” Haifeng said.
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