STOCKHOLM, Sweden—What most impressed Carolin Segerpalm, a ballet dancer and teacher at the Swedish Royal Academy, about the Shen Yun Chinese Spectacular, was the perfect synchronization of the dancers.
"It was lovely to see so many people working together. They had perfect combinations and coordination, so it was lovely to see," said Segerpalm, who saw the Devine Performing Arts encore performance at Stockholm's Circus Theater on April 3.
"I also really liked the colors of the clothing and the scenery. Everything is very beautiful," added Segerpalm, who also works in fashion selling a line of Swedish designs.
The professional ballerina commented that although she could "recognize some of the movements" from ballet, she liked how the Shen Yun style of dance is "very traditional" with "roots that go back to many years ago."
She added that she also liked how the dance was "symbolic of everything Chinese and the different views that they have," she said.
"I think that they try to make it like a whole experience for the audience. They had music, singing, dancing, art, and the painting, the scenery, the colors and everything. I really like the people who presented the show, because they also gave an image of how we perceive Chinese people."
"I loved the part that was called 'Water Sleeves,'" said Segerpalm reflecting on her favorite piece. "I just thought it had very soft movements and great coordination. The colors are also very beautiful in that number." The erhu solo was another highlight for her.
Segerpalm said she found the dances portraying scenes from modern China "very interesting to see," because she said it makes one "remember those situations and how it is" in China today. There are two dance performances, which depict the state-sponsored oppression against Falun Gong meditation practitioners in China.
"I took a course a year ago in international business, and we read about China and the rights they have … and don't have, actually. So it was very interesting to see it," said Segerpalm. "It actually affects people, and they try to make a difference here," she added.
For Segerpalm, dance is a powerful medium because it is a way of "expressing what you feel, and you can communicate it without words. … It makes even a little child able to understand emotions. I think that's the nice part of it," she said.
"I loved it. I think it's something I would really recommend people seeing."
For information about upcoming Divine Performing Arts shows, please visit: www.BestChineseShows.com
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Chinese Spectacular. For our complete coverage please visit: en.epochtimes.com/features/dpa2008/
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