New Tang Dynasty Television's (NTDTV's) Chinese New Year Spectacular received a huge welcome on Friday when it came to Ottawa, Canada's national capital, for the first time.
Addressing the pre-show VIP reception attended by over 200 guests, Canadian Environment Minister John Baird said it was "great to be here to bring greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada."
"We're so thrilled and excited that NTDTV, The Epoch Times , and the Chinese community have brought this great New Year celebration to Ottawa," he said. "We are very privileged that it's only coming to a few cities in Canada and we were so thrilled that Ottawa was chosen as one of the cites where they would bring this spectacular cultural celebration."
Based on gross sales, US-based Billboard magazine ranked last year's New York show the top 7th show internationally in its Boxscore chart for the period ending February 2006. The show ran January 20–21, 2006 at New York's famous Radio City Music Hall.
The Spectacular debuted with two shows in Vancouver on January 3 this year, its fourth year. It then played in San Francisco and Los Angeles before arriving in Ottawa this week.
Tickets sold out at Ottawa's National Arts Centre five weeks before the show. Even the "standing tickets" to the standing-room-only space at the back of the Southam Hall theatre sold out shortly prior to the show.
After the Ottawa performance, the show will travel to Montreal, Toronto, and other destinations as part of its 28-city, 4-continent world tour this year, playing over 70 shows.
Headquartered in New York, NTDTV is an independent, non-profit, global Chinese-language network founded by overseas Chinese in 2002. The Epoch Times , along with Sound of Hope Radio and NTDTV, are co-sponsors.
Canada's Governor General Michaëlle Jean sent a greeting letter, as did Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who sent a recorded greeting as well. He commended NTDTV "for their efforts in bringing this wonderful display of traditional Chinese culture to audiences in Canada."
Also published in the program book was Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien's congratulatory letter. Mayor O'Brien provided his "fullest support to NTDTV's initiatives to disseminate news, entertainment and information of particular interest to Canadians of Chinese heritage."
Attendees of the pre-show VIP reception included many business and media sponsors; leaders of the local Chinese community; elected officials from the federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government; and assistants from the office of several MPs and from the Prime Minister's Office.
During the lucky draws, the guest accompanying Mayor O'Brien was delighted when she won a beautiful silk kimono in the bright spring colours of orange and green on a white background.
Members of Parliament Pierre Poilievre and Royal Galipeau also attended. Galipeau noted that "This is the kind of event that not only helps people be proud of their culture, but also helps people who do not belong to this culture to appreciate this culture and to grow," "intellectually, morally, and perhaps even financially."
Member of Provincial Parliament Richard Patten presented a certificate of recognition to Dr. Jean Zhi, president of the Ottawa organizing committee. He congratulated NTDTV for being "the world's largest, independent, non-profit Chinese TV network," and the Spectacular for being the "7th best TV extravaganza in the world."
He added that he was confident it will be "soon be second or first," "considering that the subject matter is ancient Chinese culture and heritage."
Quite a number of Ottawa city councillors also attended and sent greeting letters, leading Baird to joke that "I think there're enough city councillors here to have a city council meeting during intermission!"
'Most Extraordinary Cultural Show'
Audience feedback gave recognition both to the high professional calibre of the Spectacular and to the aim of the show to showcase "authentic traditional Chinese culture and values" and "foster understanding between Chinese and Western societies."
"Usually we hear about song and dance multiculturalism, but it's usually is not very deep and very profound," said distinguished author, poet, and professor Cyril Dabydeen, "But tonight it was the most extraordinary cultural show I've ever seen and experienced."
From 1984 to 1987 Dabydeen served as Poet Laureate of Ottawa, a distinguished role supporting the Canadian government's mandate to promote the importance of literature, culture, and language. In 2000 he was a juror for the Governor General's Literary Awards.
"My own literature writing will of course draw from this experience," he remarked after the show.
"It broadens tremendously your understanding of the richness of human civilization, particularly Chinese civilization," he said. The "superb" performances gave him a sense of the essence of Chinese culture, which he described as "the pursuit of truth," with a "great emphasis on morality" and "the grandness and beautiful harmony of the human spirit."
Mayor O'Brien praised the show as being "riveting," "intriguing and beautiful to watch." He said that although he has been "all over" China, he has "never been treated to this level of sophisticated entertainment."
City councillor Maria McRae was "blown away by the costumes." "I'm very in awe, [it's] very humbling to see that kind of talent," she added.
Referring to one of the performances that tells of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, she commented that the interpretive song was presented in a "lovely" way and "allows us to reflect on just how important culture could be to understanding a story."
Audience member Ms. Cai told reporters in Chinese that "Several times, I was moved to tears, especially in the dance where a Falun Gong practitioner was tortured to death for persisting in her belief. But she was brought to heaven and the persecutors were punished."
International human rights lawyer David Matas said "the best hope for ending [China's] repression is through Falun Gong and their connection to the traditional Chinese culture."
Councillor Steve Desroches liked the special effects and the "haunting" and "magical" sound of the 2-stringed Chinese erhu. He added that the "very ancient and rich history" of China "clearly comes through in the show."
Several government dignitaries commented on the event's value to Canadian multiculturalism. Pointing to the Chinese community's "serious and significant presence" in Canada, they noted the importance of such cultural events in "building understanding," "imparting the traditions of a country," and helping immigrants integrate into Canadian society.
"Of course I want to come next year," Dabydeen said, noting that the Spectacular "enriches Ottawa tremendously." "The nation's capital is not an ordinary city anymore, but a top-class world-class city, thanks to the Chinese New Year experience."
The Epoch Times is proud to join with New Tang Dynasty TV and Sound of Hope Radio in co-sponsoring NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular ( http://shows.ntdtv.com. )
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