President of Amnesty International France: "It was superb!"

The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company performed two shows at the Palais des Congrès de Paris, in Paris, France, on April 24-25, 2010.

Genevieve Garrigos, president of Amnesty International France (AIF), attended the show with her husband.

Mrs. Garrigos said that she was "delighted to discover Chinese culture," during the show.

She said that she "...was especially struck by the performance about the persecution of Falun Gong, which was very well done, with great sensitivity and dignity. It was superb!"

Mrs. Garrigos said that she was transfixed by the performance, "The Calling," played by erhu soloist Ms. Mei Xuan, who also suffered long-term torture by the Chinese communist party for her belief in Falun Gong.

"When you listen to the erhu and close your eyes, you can see China," said Mrs. Garrigos.

Amnesty International China Representative: Shen Yun "Is the Hope of a Nation"

Amnesty International representative, Mr. Joseph Macedo, who is in charge of the organisation's China division, attended the show with Ms. Erika Ward, a fellow Amnesty International colleague.

Mr. Macedo said that Shen Yun made him more hopeful than ever of China's future. "The show is the hope of a nation that unites a history of 5,000 years with the present."

He felt that the show provided real, tangible value to the audience. "This show was beautiful. I believe the show has brought a lot of things to the different people who were present today. These are feelings like emotion, love, the need for freedom and the need to search for truth and the spiritual."

He continued, "At every performance, and in every piece of music, there is something that brings a different emotion, light, colour, and the Chinese spirit ... When you look at it, you get into it and feel many things."

Mr. Macedo added, "The Chinese believe that to be happy we must have hope for the future. We are ready to do anything for it."

Ms. Ward was likewise impressed by Shen Yun, saying that she "...was very surprised by the show ... and the beauty of the dances."

A stroke of luck in Paris

Mr. Aurelien Vincent Perrotin and Mr. Hasin, assistants to J. Lang, who holds office in the National Assembly

Mr. Hasin and Mr. Aurelien Vincent Perrotin, assistants to the French official, J. Lang, a member of the French Socialist Party, attended the show "Thanks to a gentleman who asked me no later than earlier this day," said Mr. Hassin.

He continued, "We are in contact with Chinese reporters and it was one of them who told us about the show and asked us if we could come. It was a real discovery."

Mr. Perrotin said, "On traditional culture, this corresponds rather closely to what I expected, but it confirms a few things that I know and like, including the costumes, colors, movements, and choreography."

"There is a great sense of choreography. I think that is very appreciable!"

Mr. Hassin commented on the two performances that touched on the persecution of Falun Gong in contemporary China and the issue of human rights, saying, "We have been pleasantly surprised by the references to particular human rights when it comes to the persecution of religious minorities."

Award winning French director: "I have rarely seen a show like this!"

Award-winning French film director and actor Jean-Pierre Mocky.

Also in the audience was award-winning French film director and actor, Jean-Pierre Mocky. Mr. Mocky, who has a long career as a filmmaker and has directed and starred in dozens of films, was full of praise for the show, saying, "I have rarely seen a show like this!

"I came to immerse myself in the atmosphere of this show, which is superb. The colors are superb. All the choreography is very beautiful."

Mr. Mocky added, "There is a beauty in the images, very beautiful images."

"I have been making movies with very great French actors for fifty years and I have always been fascinated by China," he said.

In conclusion, Mr. Mocky said Shen Yun left him with a feeling of peace and wellbeing. "It is a show which gives an impression of fulfilment, of tranquillity. It is very simple and very harmonious."

Sources:
http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/34055/
http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/34072/
http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/34067/
http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/34050/