LYON, France—In Lyon, Shen Yun Performing Arts was met with enthusiasm from many audience members, including Véronique and François Royer, who received tickets as a gift from their daughter-in-law. After the performance, they shared their excitement and admiration for such an immersive experience in traditional Chinese culture.
From the very first minutes, Mr. Royer, an antique dealer, said he was “thrilled” by “a performance that is simple and authentic.” He highlighted the cultural depth of the performance. “You can really feel the Chinese culture, both in the music […] and in the movements and the dance,” he said.
Each piece evokes “the history of the Chinese people within their empire,” he added, offering a journey through the dynasties and traditions.
Rich and Expressive
As explained on Shen Yun’s official website, classical Chinese dance is a comprehensive artistic system that has evolved over several millennia. It is distinguished by its unique combination of physical techniques (jumps, pirouettes), inner expressiveness, and storytelling. Every movement is designed to convey an emotion or meaning—something audience members said they felt.
Mrs. Royer, a former school principal and dance enthusiast, was deeply moved: “These dances are absolutely magnificent, as are the costumes … It was truly magnificent.”
She also enjoyed the rich storytelling: “The stories they tell—I find them interesting and entertaining, too.”
The staging, which combined digital sets with synchronized choreography, particularly impressed her: “It’s executed with precision; it’s truly amazing.”
Passing on Traditions
Beyond the aesthetics, it was Shen Yun’s mission that really struck a chord with the couple. Mr. Royer emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage: “It’s a struggle that carries on the traditions of their parents … across the centuries … it’s important not to forget these traditions.”
This aspect reflects Shen Yun’s mission, which is to preserve 5,000 years of Chinese tradition and celebrate its universal values, such as kindness, respect, and loyalty.
“It’s steeped in tradition, and that’s a good thing,” Mrs. Royer said. She was also surprised to learn that Shen Yun has eight companies performing simultaneously around the world: “Bravo.”
Universal Values That Resonate
Mr. Royer resonated with the stories that promoted the universal values of “respect for elders” and “respect for the poor.” He also pointed to certain scenes about righteous leaders who were close to their people, recalling ideals that are also present in European history.
He also said that the visual aesthetics, particularly the costumes, conveyed a lot of emotion in the stories. “The women’s costumes, with their flowing swaths of fabric,” he said, made a particular impression.
As the daughter of a costume designer, Mrs. Royer was also deeply moved by the costumes: “It was truly magnificent.”
For Mrs. Royer, it came as a complete surprise: “I wasn’t expecting any of this … it was a wonderful gift. It’s a wonderful discovery.”
Mr. Royer summed up the experience in a single phrase: “It’s a total experience.”
A Spiritual and Artistic Experience
Another audience member, Louise Marquis, a freelance translator, shared being deeply moved by Shen Yun and its spiritual message.
As soon as she stepped out of the theater, she described a sense of utter wonder: “It’s dazzling. It’s absolutely magnificent … it’s truly … an uplifting experience, a return to one’s roots.”
A regular patron of Shen Yun, which she has been attending for the past five years, Ms. Marquis spoke of “the splendor that we no longer have these days.”
She has seen Shen Yun in Lyon, Paris, and even in Montpellier one year because she was determined to take her family to see it. “Every time I come, I’m always delighted to discover the new shows and new scenes, and to get a glimpse of how things will unfold and what the themes will be.”
She placed particular emphasis on the technical quality of classical Chinese dance: “The technique … is flawless. These are movements you no longer even notice.”
In her view, this art form has regained “genuine movement, splendor, elegance, and grace”—qualities she considers rare today.
Divine Inspiration
Beyond the aesthetic aspect, Ms. Marquis was particularly moved by the show’s spiritual themes.
“The first scene always moves me deeply when I see the divine returning to earth,” she said. “When I hear the Creator explain that we have a mission, he is, of course, explaining all of this to the deities surrounding him.”
She spoke of a profound message conveyed through the scenes: “We must go out into the world, spread a message […] there is so much to hear, so much to understand.”
These scenes, inspired by the divine, were among her favorites, giving her “the feeling of having a glimpse into that divine world to which we have no access.”
For her, the show invited reflection on transcendence and human nature: “I wish we could […] reconnect with transcendence more often.”
Timeless and Inspiring Values
Ms. Marquis also appreciated Shen Yun’s emphasis on values in its storytelling. “I love that good is rewarded … that goodness triumphs,” she said.
The stories reminded her of virtuous historical figures and traditional ideals that are less prevalent today, and she praised Shen Yun for breathing new life into them.
She sees Shen Yun’s artistic mission as “an absolutely extraordinary opportunity,” noting that it is rare today to find “a company … that strives solely for transcendence and splendor.”
A Performance That Can Inspire Society
Ms. Marquis said she sees Shen Yun having an impact far beyond the stage. “I think it can inspire future generations,” she said, particularly by instilling a love of discipline and excellence.
In her view, the performance offers a rare opportunity: that of “remembering the divine” and rediscovering what human beings are capable of when they aspire to something higher.
“I wish I could see Shen Yun more often—every year and many more times—and be able to come back for every performance,” she said. “Every time, I’m thrilled to be able to witness this splendor, which, to me, truly comes from the heavens.”
Reporting by Nathalie Dieul and translated from the French language Epoch Times by Sonia Rouleau.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
