(Minghui.org) The eight touring companies of Shen Yun Performing Arts kicked off the New Year with audiences in Japan, France, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Shen Yun’s eight touring companies performed in eight cities on January 3 (left to right, top to bottom): the Teatro Lirico in Cagliari, Italy; the Podlaska Opera and Orchestra in Białystok, Poland; the ROHM Theatre Kyoto in Kyoto, Japan; The ICC Birmingham in Birmingham, United Kingdom; the Grand Theatre de Provence in Aix-En-Provence, France; the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California; the Eisemann Center in Dallas, Texas; and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts – Au-Rene Theatre in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (The Epoch Times)

“Deeply Moved Me”

Mac Reichenau at the Shen Yun performance in Dallas, Texas, on January 4 (The Epoch Times)

Mac Reichenau, vice president of global production at a machinery equipment company, saw Shen Yun in Dallas, Texas, on January 4.

“I think this performance’s theme delivered very strong messages that deeply moved me. I very much appreciate the meaning behind this performance, and very much enjoyed this viewing experience,” Mr. Reichenau said. 

“It’s very meaningful to me to be able to more deeply learn about past history through this performance,” he said. 

“Very Moving, Emotionally Charging”

Viktor Lomeyer at the Shen Yun performance in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 4 (The Epoch Times)

Viktor Lomeyer, a business owner, saw Shen Yun in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 4.

“That was a very good experience... Very moving, emotionally charging, and a great performance as far as the artists go. I was really flabbergasted with the detail of the hands,” Mr. Lomeyer said. 

“[The] spiritual element is very important because right now, with changes going on in our daily life, on the planet, and in our system, the challenges that we all face only can be overcome with the spiritual element because everything that pertains to connection with the divine helps us to move forward.

“If we can come together as a human society—we all will be together in the long run... We need to look [for the] Creator... to find our center, and make sure that that center will help us to move forward as humanity.

“A person who has a connection with God... will always respond to beauty because morally, everything [is] connected through beauty, art, and through expression.

“The moral aspect is number one because obviously, a person who responds to the Creator’s call becomes more morally adjusted, more morally centered, more kind, more human, and just simply a good person.

“I think that we are all sleepers in a way and the higher art, [this] performance, [is an] example of the beauty that will actually awaken [belief in the] Creator in all of us... It’s just how each one of us will answer that call,” he said.

Mr. Lomeyer said that he could tell that there was something special about Shen Yun’s performers because they inspire others to become better.

“Maybe all of them are of the higher moral standards, a higher moral character, maybe spiritual... When you see someone perform in a really outstanding way, it inspires one to become like that in their own way... to become the best version of themselves,” he said.

“I would like to thank people involved in this show, in this production, because I see the value of this show... [It makes] people... get in touch with the divine. So just keep up the good work, and thank you again. I was really moved,” Mr. Lomeyer said.

“Truly Impressive”

Shen Yun New Era Company at a full house at the Grand Theatre de Provence in Aix-En-Provence, France, on the afternoon of January 5 (The Epoch Times)

Philippe Milliau, president of a private TV station in France, at the Shen Yun performance in Aix-En-Provence on January 5 (NTD Television)

Philippe Milliau, president of a private TV station in France, saw Shen Yun in Aix-En-Provence on January 5.

“The performance was extremely complicated but meticulous. It also contained extraordinary sensitivity and acuteness. These were all demonstrated by its artistic, visual, and auditorial experiences. This kind of overall effect was truly impressive,” Mr. Milliau said. 

“I think it’s crucial to present the richness, variety, and modern connections of all the cultures in the world. The connection with the divine is exactly an important component of these cultures’ expressions… Without performances like this (Shen Yun), this kind of culture, this magnanimity of humankind, this kind of talent, this kind of artistic discipline, and these artists’ personal practice, we’re only tiny dust in the desert,” he said.

“The Divine Was Nearby”

Shen Yun International Company at a packed house at the Podlaska Opera and Orchestra in Białystok, Poland, on January 3 (The Epoch Times)

Izabela Julia Czechowska at the Shen Yun performance in Białystok, Poland, on January 3 (The Epoch Times)

Izabela Julia Czechowska, a former diplomat to China, saw Shen Yun in Białystok, Poland, on January 3.

“I felt that the divine was nearby. The dance displayed by the artists made me feel closer to the divine,” Ms. Czechowska said. She had worked at the Polish consulate in Chengdu for years. During that time, she was invited to see numerous performances in China.

“The way Shen Yun presented it was different from the shows I saw in China. I like this performance very much, especially the parts that display divine spirituality. As a devoted believer in the divine, the divinity of traditional Chinese culture that was presented by Shen Yun made me feel extremely wonderful. It was as if I touched the heaven,” she said.

“I’ll Do Everything I Can to Support You”

Carol Smith (front center), president of the Novato Republican Women’s Club, organized a group of 18 people to watch Shen Yun in San Francisco on January 4 (NTD Television)

Carol Smith at the Shen Yun performance in San Francisco on January 4 (NTD Television)

As a Chinese American and the president of a Republican women’s club in Novato, Carol Smith brought her club members and her husband, altogether 18 people, to watch Shen Yun at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco on January 4.

Mrs. Smith said that during the performance, she “cried the whole time,” and even after the performance, she was still very emotional, “because that’s how we grew up, that’s my culture, that’s my treasure. I grew up with it, so it’s always with me.”

This year was the third time Mrs. Smith watched Shen Yun. She believes strongly in Shen Yun’s mission, “People will absolutely benefit from it,” she said. “That’s why I brought my club members. I want them to see my culture. I want them to see what we can offer as Chinese.”

“I want them to know about Shen Yun and Falun Gong, and I want them to know how horrible [the] Chinese communist party is. They persecute their own people; it’s not okay with me.

“It’s a wonderful way to spread our culture and [to raise] awareness of how horrible [the] Chinese government is,” she said.

She appreciated Shen Yun’s live orchestra, “They are fantastic. I cannot dream of a better team than they are.”

Mrs. Smith wants more people to see Shen Yun and hopes that Shen Yun will continue its efforts. She said, “Carry on, do not stop, and I‘ll cheer you on. I’ll do everything I can to support you!”

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