Aix-en-Provence – Christian Chenier is a building engineer. This business executive said he was “very moved” while attending the Shen Yun show. » I am very attached to traditions… I am very attached to certain things that make up life and I have rediscovered this desire to live. This moved me greatly. »
For this engineer, Shen Yun carries “a message” which conveys “a great desire for freedom. To be able to free oneself from the yoke of significant political influence, to free the people. »
Indeed, in addition to the dance scenes depicting the magnificence of China “before communism”, Shen Yun exposes the current persecution suffered by Falun Dafa practitioners, imprisoned and tortured by the Chinese communist regime. Practitioners of this discipline of meditation based on the universal principles of truth, kindness and patience have suffered brutal persecution for 25 years, including forced organ harvesting.
Christian Chenier also felt the benevolence present in the danced and sung scenes of Shen Yun: “Go towards others, be altruistic, all these things that make the world! », recalled the engineer.
According to Mr. Chenier, Shen Yun can bring “a universality that no longer exists particularly in the world. There is a message that is getting across, an extraordinary message of joy, of the desire to bring happiness to others, and to teach us not to cut ourselves off from the past. Because it is with the light of the past that we progress towards the future. »
“It’s rare to see such an enchanting spectacle”
For the second year in a row, Fernand Cohen came to travel to traditional ancestral China. From his seat at the Grand Théâtre de Provence, he was able to appreciate the brand new Shen Yun programming in 2025. “It’s always something very pleasant and I think it’s rare to see such an enchanting show,” he said. he enthuses.
The Marseille entrepreneur thus compares Shen Yun to “a quiet river which flows and which is very enterprising, which carries you away. The whole show is like that! », he describes.
Perpetuating the traditions of 5,000 years of Chinese history and culture, Shen Yun “brings a way of seeing things in a different way. And I believe that for the generations to come, this is something that will benefit them. »
“A questioning of its deep nature”
At only 21 years old, Marine Honnorat already has a great past as a classical dancer behind her. The young woman is now a student, preparing to become a professor. “Splendid” is how this student described Shen Yun. ” Splendid ! both in terms of staging, sets and costumes! »
This dance professional described classical Chinese dance as “very interesting because there are many steps that can be found in classical, in jazz…”. “I have the impression that it’s a bit like the beginnings of all dance, that it’s a bit where it all began, and I find it captivating to also discover a new style of dance. »
Indeed, classical Chinese dance draws its techniques and postures from thousands of years of plays and imperial court dances. It subsequently inspired other forms of art such as ballet or gymnastics.
Marine Honnorat was also able to feel a form of spirituality present within the dance steps. “I already find that there is a certain spirituality in their dance, in their movements, in their way of being, of interpreting certain roles. They highlight certain problems in society that I find very interesting and which personally touched me a lot! »
“I became aware of certain things during the show, notably that society can influence us a lot and sometimes not in a positive way. This allowed me to ask myself fundamental questions and I found it very pleasant and very constructive. »
The dancer was able to observe “a team spirit” among the Shen Yun dancers. “That’s what’s also very beautiful, we don’t just put our finger on one person, but everyone plays an important role in the choreographies, in the paintings. »
For Marine, Shen Yun “can bring a certain kindness towards others, a questioning of one’s deep nature, of who one is and the values that one wants to uphold. »
Epoch Times is a partner of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered public reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
