HAMBURG—A fashion designer who attended the Divine Performing Arts presentation of the Chinese Spectacular in Hamburg said the costumes were like a dream and have inspired her.
After finishing it's four-night run in Berlin on Sunday, the Chinese Spectacular was staged for one night only in Hamburg on Monday at the Theater in the Harbor, a special venue that can only be reached by water taxi.
Among those attending was fashion designer Tatjana Diner. While others came for the live orchestra composed of both Chinese and Western instruments, or traditional dances from China's many ethnicities, Diner came for another reason.
"I am here because of the beautiful costumes and be inspired by Chinese culture. I find the show exciting, with very rich culture and beautiful dances. The costumes are a big interest for me because of my profession. I am inspired," she said.
[Information from the Divine Performing Arts website says the performance company conducts meticulous historical research to get the costumes correct.]
Each year the Spectacular seems to have a few dances that audience members particularly enjoy. This year one of those dances is "Nymphs of the Sea," in which the dancers have fans with flowing material to symbolize water.
"This fascinated me," said Diner of the watery dance.
Diner said she enjoyed the Spectacular's signature digital backdrops which gave each dance a unique living landscape, but in the end, it was the costumes she loved most.
"I found the costumes dream-like, very beautiful. I am fascinated. Big compliment," she said.
The designer said she came because someone recommended the show to her and because of her profession and interest in the costumes. She said she had not heard of the Chinese communist government's attempts to stifle the show. She enjoyed the dances that dealt with the persecution of Falun Gong, a human rights violation the communist regime has tried to keep hidden.
Chinese embassies around the world have attempted to interfere with the Spectacular's performances by asking important public figures not to attend, posting ads in Chinese language papers slamming the show, and by pressuring theater owners to tear up contracts with the dance company.
Diner said she was aware of the Chinese communist regime's many human rights violations.
"I think it is not good," said Diner referring to Chinese communists' human rights abuses. "I come from the [communist-era] Soviet Union, and I know already this [communist] system."
She said Chinese people should look forward to a time without communism.
The Spectacular received a long applause from its Hamburg audience. The show will now move on to Stockholm, Sweden.
For information about upcoming Divine Performing Arts shows, please visit: www.DivinePerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Chinese Spectacular. For our complete coverage please visit: http://en.epochtimes.com/features/dpa2008/
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