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Chinese Central Government Official Attends the Chinese New Year Spectacular Twice in Los Angeles (Photo)

Jan. 25, 2008 |   By Epoch Times reporter Wang Yuxin from Los Angeles

(Clearwisdom.net) The Chinese New Year Spectacular entertained theatergoers with four performances at the Nokia Theater, Los Angeles' largest performing arts venue. These unique performances featured the Divine Performing Arts company--a high caliber group of performers well versed in the traditions of classical Chinese performing arts. Western and Eastern audience members alike were treated to a critically acclaimed production, portraying the rich beauty and grandeur of traditional Chinese culture.

On January 19, the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles presented the Chinese New Year Spectacular

One of the attendees among the thousands of LA theater patrons at the Spectacular was an official from the Central Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He attended the January 18 show and later returned to take in the third performance on January 19. He accepted an interview during intermission and after the show. He revealed his name, but asked that it not be reported.

"It's very good," he immediately said of the show. "I think the most important feature of this performance is its expression of the inner meaning of Chinese culture, and that's what makes it so good. In other words, it only attempts to honestly present Chinese cultural traditions and does not serve another functions. I feel this is very good. This kind of pure, cultural expression is especially rare in China.

"This show will certainly have a positive influence on the world. You are doing something to disseminate Chinese culture and to honor Chinese culture. You are playing a motivating role, and you also providing an initial introduction to Chinese culture."

Regarding the differences between the Spectacular and shows in China, he said, "The biggest difference is that performances in China tend to be weighed down by their propagandizing function, and I didn't feel much [of that] in this performance. First, the atmosphere here is different. I could clearly sense that the show was striving to express traditional Chinese culture, not some kind of politically contrived notion. Besides a few programs revealing the facts of how Falun Gong practitioners are being persecuted, it emphasizes the expression of culture."

As to traditional culture and the classical artistic performances he said, "Since I am not an artist, I can only offer my feelings. I feel the dance skills are very high. That I can sense very clearly."

So what was his favorite part of the program? "The "Water Sleeves" dance, he said. "Also the performance that mimics waves on the water at the beginning."

The man gave his name when the reporter asked, but he asked that it not be reported. He said, "It would be inconvenient for me (if my name is reported), since I still need to go back to China, and I am an official in the central government."

To the question of how the Divine Performing Arts' world tour would impact modern Chinese culture, he replied, "It will bring about a gradual change. If you continue to present things this way, it will eventually have an enormous impact."

Clearly pleased with the performance he had witnessed, the official summed up his experience saying, "I think it is very good! Overall, this is an all-new creation. It shocks people--it awakens people's souls. It also exerts a frightening force on those harboring evil thoughts. That is my feeling."