(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts presented its fourth performance of a seven-show run at the Kennedy Center Opera House on January 22. An enthusiastic audience brought Tenor Hong Ming back to the stage for two encores.

Washington resident Dr. Dieter Dettke attended the Friday night's show.

Dr. Dieter Dettke, a specialist in foreign and security policy, attended Friday's show. He described the New York-based show as "great" and bridging East and West: "That was indeed interesting for me, too, because [the show] seems to be a bridge between Western and Chinese culture in music, and maybe even in other areas too. I guess we could all use a little more Buddhism . . . in our thoughts and in our behavior, and any effort in that area I do applaud."

Dr. Dettke said, "It's a presentation ... of traditional Chinese culture to a Western audience ... speaking on behalf of Falun Gong. I think the Chinese make a big mistake in persecuting, prosecuting and putting pressure on Falun Gong; I think [Falun Gong] should be recognized, and they should have the necessary freedom to act with."

As a university professor who has authored numerous publications on European and U.S. security issues, his interest is in seeing different cultures work together to build a common, better future.

Summing up his response to the show, he said he saw Shen Yun as, "bringing music, dance, and philosophy, in many ways, together. A genuine effort to integrate things!"

'It was enlightening!'

U.S. Marine Corps Major Eric Wagner and writer Christiana Harding joined the enthusiastic audience at the Kennedy Center Opera House in highly praising the show. Both were particularly taken by the show's ability to present difficult material in "a very tasteful way that was in keeping with the beauty of the culture," Ms. Harding said.

U.S. Marine Corps Major Eric Wagner and writer Christiana Harding.

Mr. Wagner thought "it was neat that they were able to show the American public the repressions of a totalitarian state, but do it through beautiful music, beautiful costumes, beautiful dresses and choreography," he explained.

Ms. Harding was moved by the presentation of contemporary issues, such as the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

"Eric and I both agree that everyone should have the right to practice whatever religion, and so it is something that interests me. The costumes and the dance were beautiful. I think it's a beautiful venue in which to bring a bigger message, to have diversity and open mindedness ... a message that is well-timed, right now," said Ms. Harding.

The value of freedom of speech is another of the messages that she saw in the performance. "I have been to China and learned a lot about the restriction freedom of speech in China. I like it that they conveyed that message within the art," she continued.

In the Shen Yun dance, Astounding Conviction, a man stands in Tiananmen Square holding a banner that says: "Falun Dafa is Good," asserting his opposition to the Chinese government policy targeting his belief.

Mr. Wagner felt that other should see Shen Yun, and said, "Go and see it--learn about China, experience a different culture, and have a wonderful evening doing it!"

"Enlightening. I would say it was enlightening," Ms. Harding concluded.

Source:
http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/28448/

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/28472/