NEW YORK—Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year Splendor drew standing ovations and rave reviews from both Eastern and Western audiences during its 15 show run at Radio City Music Hall. Many remarked on Splendor's demonstration of the essence of traditional Chinese culture, much to the delight of multicultural audiences, especially those originally from mainland China.
Numerous people described the content of the show as profound, soul-stirring and awakening. The song I am Singing for You by Jiang Min was a heart-touching favorite among audience members.
The song, sung in Chinese, has the lyrics, "Dear friends, it's for you I sing with heart so true, fifty years of lies have built this Red Wall. Though crooks may have sullied our glorious culture, values like honesty, kindness and patience endure. … And once you have arrived at the truth, then comes the chance of renewal…"
A former reporter for the Beijing media, Mr. Zhang told us, "I am a businessman in New York now. Before I immigrated to the United States, I used to be a reporter and news editor for more than 10 years. For Chinese New Year, we came here and wanted to experience it for ourselves."
"The show deeply touched my heart," remarked Zhang's wife.
Recommending the show to Chinese diplomats, reporters and businessmen
It was Zhang's feeling after seeing the show that it most accurately captured the nature of original Chinese culture, "I am deeply moved. The Chinese nation has a long and splendid civilization, with a rich and sophisticated cultural heritage," he said.
"Yet Divine Performing Arts has demonstrated its long history and rich culture so gracefully; during these two and a half hours, it has quenched the long drought in my heart. The beautiful backdrops and the elegant dances are so well integrated that they received rounds of applause."
His favorite part of the show was, "The countryside backdrops with mountains, trees and rivers reminded me of my hometown that I miss so much. My eyes moistened as I saw it."
The Chinese music and dance aroused an intense feeling of homesickness in Zhang, "I love my motherland. I love Chinese culture. I love the people who live on that land and love every tree and bush in my hometown. I am grateful that Divine Performing Arts brought me an experience I've never had before."
Although Mr. Zhang and his family do not practice Falun Gong, according to his professional conscience, he has been following news about Falun Gong. Regarding the persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese communist regime, he said, "I knew the persecution would happen, but I did not expect the persecution to be so long and brutal. Young, old, women, children, the sick and the weak, every practitioner has been persecuted."
"It is deeply disturbing that a government uses the power of the state and its extensive resources to persecute a large group of kind and innocent people."
Zhang feels the persecution of Falun Gong is absolutely unacceptable, "The practitioners face the risks of brutal torture, having their organs harvested, being detained and becoming homeless all just for being good people who follow the principles of truthfulness, compassion, tolerance."
He continued, "No kind hearted person would understand why such people pursuing basic freedom of belief and freedom of speech would be suppressed and persecuted. This is intolerable injustice."
Zhang also commented on his admiration for Divine Performing Arts' mission, "Divine Performing Arts performing around the world, spreading Chinese culture and helping people from different backgrounds understand Chinese culture is a great and selfless effort. They are outstanding Chinese people who should be respected by people across the whole world."
He also thinks that Chinese authorities should not run interference against Divine Performing Arts as they commence their global tour. Instead, he feels the authorities should be welcoming and supportive, "I hope Chinese diplomats, reporters and businessmen all come to see the show."
Appealing to Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao to Stop the Persecution and Bring Those Responsible to Justice
Zhang wanted to take this opportunity to say something to Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao, the current leaders of China's communist regime, "You have been in power for over four years. Do not disappoint us any longer. You should know that for every day this persecution continues there will be more lives tortured to death. There will be more children becoming orphans. There will be more families broken."
He believes that if Hu and Wen can use their political wisdom and courage to stop the persecution, they will gain the support and applause of the people. "I hope you do not associate with evil and instead become a wise politician who follows what people want, follows heaven's will and brings those responsible to justice," He continued, "This would get you much more support from the people than visiting rural homes or bowing to people."
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