On May 11, Shen Yun’s New York Touring Company held its 16th and final performance of this year’s Paris run at the Palais des congrès de Paris theater. The show was once again completely sold out, capping the touring group’s 88-show run of 2024 and 2025.
Founded in 2006 and based in upstate New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts is a criticially acclaimed classical Chinese dance and music company founded by adherents of the spiritual practice Falun Gong. The company aims to revive 5,000 years of traditional culture and values through immersive performances that showcase China’s heritage prior to the ravages of communism.
The company currently has eight troupes that tour and perform across the globe simultaneously, debuting a brand new production every year.
Engineer from EDF: ‘I hope Shen Yun can one day perform in China!‘
Mr. Baraton, an engineer at the French national electric utility company EDF, attended the performance with his wife. He said, “The music of Shen Yun is very beautiful, and the dancers’ skills are exceptional. The digital backdrop creates the stunning effect of the performers seamlessly transitioning between the stage and the background—it’s truly breathtaking.”
Mr. Baraton was also moved by the piece ‘Unprecedented Crime,’ which depicts the persecution of Falun Gong. He remarked, “This aligns with the understanding we’ve always had of modern-day China—totalitarianism. It’s very saddening. I hope Shen Yun can one day perform in China!”
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His wife noted that she had not previously realized how deeply traditional Chinese culture was rooted in faith in the divine. “The Shen Yun performance made me want to learn more about Chinese culture. Traditional Chinese culture is truly magnificent!” she said.
Due to the persecution of Falun Gong and the Chinese Communist Party’s censorship, Shen Yun cannot perform in mainland China, but is the premier classical Chinese dance company globally, reaching an annual audience of over 1 million people.
Mother and daughter: ‘It touched the depths of my soul’
Caroline attended the Shen Yun performance with her daughter Gwendoline. Caroline, who has a background in the fashion industry, said she was moved to tears after the performance and remained visibly emotional for a long time.
“I can’t even describe why I was so moved,” said Caroline, eyes still red after the performance. “It was absolutely overwhelming! When the Shen Yun soprano began to sing, I was instantly touched. Her voice and the lyrics brought me to tears. The soprano’s singing carried a powerful energy that struck deep into my heart.”
Gwendoline continued, “My mom was so moved she couldn’t find the words. We’ve wanted to see Shen Yun for many years, and today that dream came true! The vibrant colors, the elegant movements of classical Chinese dance, everything was so mesmerizing. Shen Yun is full of divinity. The first dance drama, which tells of where we come from, had a truly powerful energy field.”
The mother and daughter also mentioned the piece that portrays the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Falun Gong. Gwendoline said, “I hope that people in China who are still experiencing this persecution can bravely persevere. I hope this persecution ends soon.”
Chinese international student: “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is the only right path for us”
“I come to see it every year, except for the years during the pandemic,” Mr. Qin, a student from China who resides in France, said in an interview with The Epoch Times. Ever since he first stumbled upon a Shen Yun performance, he has made it a point to return annually. “After that first time, I felt deeply inspired—it was a spiritual, soulful inspiration.”
Sharing his thoughts about the show on May 11, he said, “Shen Yun isn’t only for Chinese people—it’s something universal, something that everyone can appreciate.” He has attended shows with French friends and often shares this beauty with others.
When asked about the most powerful impression he took from the performance, Mr. Qin did not hesitate: “What we see in every dancer is not just a performance, it’s authenticity. They show their inner selves to the audience, and that kind of emotional impact is spontaneous and heartfelt.”
He felt a strong resonance with the principles of Falun Gong, which are depicted in Shen Yun performances. “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance [真善忍] is the only right path for us,” he said, referring to the practice’s core principles.
He emphasized that in today’s high-pressure society, “‘Forbearance’ doesn’t just mean passive endurance, but also tolerance and understanding, embracing others with kindness, and feeling the forbearance in others.”
“I believe Shen Yun is spreading light,” Mr. Qin said. “We are living in rather dark times. There is a gloom surrounding everyone, but Shen Yun helps to dispel that darkness, bringing light both to the heart and to the world around us.”
“Every show is different, but the theme is always consistent,” he continued. “If each of us can carry this flame of light and pass it on to others, the world will become a truly beautiful place.”
With reporting by Vision Times France.
