As the Melbourne leg of the Chinese New Year Spectacular closes and prepares to go to Sydney, it has already left a considerable mark on the hearts of many audience members. The audience became more and more engaged in the show and the clapping got louder as evening progressed.
Among those were also prominent Melburnians such as the influential President of the National Civic Council and leader of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong in China (CIPFG) Victoria Investigation Team, Peter Westmore who found the "beautiful display of artistry and gentleness absolutely uplifting. I'm privileged and honoured to be here."
Mr Westmore also added: "I am not well versed in Chinese traditional culture, but I see from this that there is a very serious effort being made by the artists to preserve the best of Chinese culture and even extend it to an audience of people like myself, who are not familiar with it and show that that [Chinese] culture is a very high culture and one, which has a great deal to offer not just to people in China but in fact people right throughout the world."
"It's very obvious from their performances that their artistry is coming from their heart and it is obviously a matter of great skill but these are matters of the highest conviction and that really also shows through. It's also spiritually uplifting. And actually as a Christian I also found that there were many aspects even speaking of the Tibetan culture and Buddhist culture that resonated with me for having a very deep spiritual content."
The Spectacular portrayed themes that were largely unfamiliar to many non-Chinese audience members, however, some themes were topical to China's current events as well.
Senator Lyn Allison and Leader of the Australian Democrats enjoyed not only the costumes and dances but also said: "The scene with the Falun Gong and the Chinese police was very moving." She added: "I thought perhaps the scene to do with Tibet was one of the most beautiful, with very, very lovely costumes and beautiful dance. So that was gorgeous. Beautiful costumes, lovely dancing, very attractive people and nice singing − It's very Chinese, certainly. Not the sort of thing we see in Australia very often. So that's what makes it special."
Senator Allison concluded: "I doubt that many people have seen a show like this. I hope they come to this one, the more people that see it, the better. There are a lot of Chinese people here obviously, but it would be good for more non-Chinese Australians to come along."
There were glassy eyes all around particularly when, in the story of Yue Fei, his mother tattoos the four characters 精忠報國 (jing zhong bao guo), which mean "serve the country loyally", on his back.
He is one of the best-known and tactically astute generals in Chinese history who led many successful campaigns, succeeding in recapturing Chinese territory lost in previous battles.
Prime Minister Qin Hui unfairly executed Yue Fei on a charge, "no reason needed" 莫須有 (mo xu you), the Chinese characters literarily meaning no need while he was totally devoted and loyal to his country.
Yue Fei's sacrifice remains etched in the memory of all Chinese people as the epitome of what true loyalty means. For this reason the mere mention of his name touches a deep nerve in the Chinese people's hearts, while he is revered as one of the great symbols of Chinese patriotism.
Since the Chinese Communist Regime came to power it has repeatedly attempted to diminish Yue Fei's historical status.
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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