Netherlands: Shen Yun's Final Performance in Amsterdam a Great Success

Shen Yun's final show in Amsterdam's RAI Theater on Sunday afternoon, March 7, was a great success.

Wu Haibo, a Chinese painter and president of the Commission to Restore the Reputation of those Appealing on June 4 (a group dedicated to exposing the truth about the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre) was deeply moved by the show. He said, "Shen Yun is like a light, like a sun, because the Chinese [people] are still sitting in the dark." To him the most touching scenes were those in which the persecution of the spiritual practice Falun Gong were depicted. "I had to cry," he said, "because it reminded me of my own time in prison. It touched my heart." He hopes that it will be possible for Shen Yun to perform in China soon.

Wu Haibo, painter and president of the Commission to Restore the Reputation of those Appealing on June 4. (Simons/The Epoch Times)

Antonio Occelli, an executive with Kerry Bio-Science, came to the show with his wife and children. Mr. Occelli has been to China on two occasions. "It´s really important to learn more about China. In the Netherlands we have a very special environment. People are very open minded. It is a key element in globalisation, to be tolerant and knowledgeable about other cultures," Mr. Occelli said.

Also in the audience were Dutch Government officials, including Erwin Pochmann, a policymaker in the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports. "Everything was beautiful. I liked the performance, the dancers, the music and the singers. I enjoyed the show very much," he said.

"The time was passing so quickly, we were having fun, that's the thing." Mr. Pochmann had bought tickets to the show for his own 45th birthday on March 1. "It was a very good present, it was a good show and a good performance," he said. He is familiar with Chinese culture "but from a distance. I grew up with Chinese friends from Hong Kong. I like the traditional Chinese culture very much," he added.

Local Celebrity: "I hope that all these Chinese Embassies and Consulates will leave the show in peace"

Also in the audience was Dutch TV and movie celebrity Erik van Muiswinkel, who is known for his stand-up comedy and also for being an outspoken supporter of human rights. For Mr. van Muiswinkel it was the second time to see Shen Yun.

"What impressed me very much was the erhu performance. That lady, Mei Xuan, is wonderful, she is very distinguished." When he learnt that her husband had been abducted in China on his way to the United States in what is believed to be an attempt to interfere with the Shen Yun Performing Arts company, and also that some key Shen Yun production staff were not granted visas to enter Hong Kong for shows scheduled there in January due to pressure from Beijing, he said: "I hope that all these Chinese Embassies and Consulates will leave the show in peace when they travel around. ... I don´t think they have the right to [do that]. I think they should let people freely express their opinions-also in China."

Dutch TV and movie celebrity Erik van Muiswinkel

Consultant: "It's good to know what is going on in China"

Reshmi Parsan, an internal consultant at the Ministry of Transportation in the Netherlands, said she really liked that there is a lot of history in the performances and that it also showed modern thought provoking dance. She referred to the dance Nothing Can Block the Divine Path in which the persecution of Falun Gong in China, a spiritual practice, is shown. "I really find it interesting that this issue can be brought to us through dance and music. It creates a lot of awareness ... ," she commented.

"I also liked the translation in Dutch. It´s a very good way to introduce the Chinese culture in a very broad way. Not only through dances and music. For me it´s good to know what is going on in China," Ms. Parsan added.

Designer: 'I was touched'

Jacob Groeneveld, a self-employed designer, was touched by the dance in the grand finale, The Buddha's Teachings Spread Far and Wide.

For him, the show represented "the word of God." "It was very good. The show represents what I learned from my father and my mother. ... I believe in it," he said.

The dance is taken from the Chinese classic novel Journey to the West. The monk Tripitaka embarks on a pilgrimage in search of Buddhist scriptures. After years of trials and tribulations, the monk returns triumphant to the imperial palace and is greeted by Emperor Tang Taizong. The entire land rejoices as the teachings of the Buddha are spread.

Sources:

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/30962/

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/30910/

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/30911/