Epoch Times: City Councilor: 'The true Chinese culture lives on through the arts

Epoch Times Staff Jan 18, 2009
Divine Performing Arts, Julia Robertson

City Councilor Ms. Patterson is touched by the true Chinese culture. (Youzhi Ma/The Epoch Times)

SEATTLE - "I'm enjoying the show so much. It's making Chinese culture come alive for me," said City Councilor Ms. Patterson.

Ms. Patterson was describing the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) Chinese New Year Spectacular which she attended at Seattle's Paramount Theatre on Sunday, January 18th.

DPA, a New York-based performance company founded by leading Chinese artists, is seeking to revive China's traditional culture and present it to audiences around the world through Chinese classical dance and music.

Ms. Patterson said she "really enjoyed" the piece, "Dance of the Snow-capped Mountains" in which the dancers spin, jump, and stomp in celebration of the joys of life on the Tibetan Steppes.

"I think the main thing I'll take away from the show is the fact that the Chinese culture, the true Chinese culture, lives on through the arts and through dance and this show. The dance and the arts - through that Chinese culture will live forever. It's a beautiful portrayal of Chinese culture and I'm so fortunate to be here."

Upon hearing that the DPA production is not allowed to play in communist China, Ms. Patterson said she hopes that one day that will change.

"I think it's sad that the Chinese people cannot have this experience that I, as an American woman, can have. I think it's unfortunate that the Chinese people cannot experience the beauty of their history and of their culture through this extraordinary artistic experience. I hope that someday their government will realise how important this is."

Chinese classical dance, the centerpiece of the DPA shows, is unique because it has been passed down from ancient China when people emphasised chivalry, loyalty, honesty, harmony of body and mind and a belief in the divine.

"I understand that there were some very profound spiritual messages that were being portrayed through the dance and it was very interesting for me to realise that those principles of love, of peace, of non-violence are very much a part of the history of China; they're very much a part of the Buddhist culture which is exactly the same message which is portrayed through traditional Christian teachings as well."

She concluded by commenting on the piece, "Heaven Awaits us Despite Persecution," which tells of a father persecuted for practising Falun Gong, a traditional spiritual practice rooted in ancient Chinese culture that was banned by the Chinese regime in 1999.

"Throughout the history of mankind, when people speak the truth, they are often persecuted, and that was being portrayed through dance here - but it is true since the beginning of time, in all the cultures, that people who get close to the truth, who speak the truth, who attempt to live the truth end up being persecuted by those who don't want to hear it."

Source: http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/content/view/10578/