STOCKHOLM, Sweden—The Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular debuted in Sweden on March 20 to a very appreciative Stockholm crowd. Katja Bjorner, a soloist ballerina for the prestigious Royal Swedish Opera, was in the audience and had nothing but the highest praise for the Shen Yun dancers.
"It's very beautiful to watch the movement and especially the synchronicity, how they are so together - their preciseness, and musicality and the colors, it's very, very beautiful," she said.
"I like the contrast as well with the very sensual movements, and the strong movements. I was very very impressed."
Ms. Bjorner dances classical ballet as well as a modern repertory, but she said that the DPA style of dance was different from both of those.
"The use of the arms is very specific Chinese, very specific for the traditional dance of China. But I could see also the influence of the ballet in the dance," she said.
Ms. Bjorner also enjoyed the music, mentioning that the traditional Chinese instruments were "very soothing" and "tranquil."
"You feel nice hearing it. And it also, of course, brings the vibe of China. For being in Sweden it feels exotic."
Ms. Bjorner commented about how grateful she was to have been able to experience a piece of Chinese culture in Sweden. China is "a very rich part of the world that we are very far away from so to have this opportunity, to have it brought here, feels very special," she said. "It's not something that happens – at all. This is the first time I know it's here. So it's very interesting."
In June, the ballerina says she herself will be performing in China for the first time and this was why she was "very curious" to come to see the Shen Yun performance.
Overall, Ms. Bjorner said that her strongest impressions from the evening were of "harmony" and "beauty," citing the "Nymphs of the Sea" dance as an exemplary piece.
"It just felt very harmonious to watch it and very beautiful. How beautiful it was, the totality of everything together – the colors, the movement, and music."
When asked about other favorite pieces, she had trouble answering. "Oh, there were so many. It's hard to say." Then she fondly recalled the two Mongolian pieces, the women's "Mongolian Bowl Dance," and the men's "Herding on the Mongolian Plains" where the men seemed to be riding horses.
Before leaving Ms. Bjorner said that she would "definitely" be telling her family and friends about the show so they could buy tickets for the performances March 24-26. "I'm telling them his weekend so they can come next week – so they won't miss it!"
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/
Feeds