MURCIA, Spain—The afternoon and evening performances of Shen Yun Performing Arts on March 29, at the Auditorio Víctor Villegas brought the city to life with sold-out audiences and sustained ovations. By the end of the evening performance, the audience rose to its feet in applause lasting several minutes, calling the artists back to the stage for three curtain calls.
With these final performances, Shen Yun concluded its 27-show tour across seven Spanish cities—all to full houses—leaving a strong impression on audiences across the country.
Before the evening performance, Virginia Martínez García, a regional deputy from the VOX parliamentary group, presented a letter of recognition to Shen Yun representatives, acknowledging the company’s efforts to preserve traditional Chinese culture. She later attended the performance with her cousin Carlos, an architect, and her cousin-in-law Ana Belén Valero, a lawyer.
Describing the experience, Ms. Martínez García said she “loved it, as always,” noting that it was her second time attending. She expressed appreciation for the entire production, thanking “the musicians, the dancers, and everyone who made it possible.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, with a mission to revive 5,000 years of China’s divinely inspired heritage and share with audiences the beauty of China before communism.
Ms. Martínez García was particularly impressed by the dancers’ technical skill, calling their pirouettes and leaps “impossible to replicate.” At the same time, she highlighted the clarity of the storytelling, emphasizing that “even though there is no narrator,” the audience can “understand perfectly through the sweet, lovely, and beautiful movements performed by the dancers.”
She particularly appreciated how the performance guided the audience through a wide range of emotions, and the emotional contrast was presented in a powerful way. Referring to scenes depicting the persecution of people of faith in China, she noted how the tone shifts from peace to tension. “You have happiness and peace from believing in higher beings,” she said, before “everything turns dark.”
She added that the resilience portrayed on stage was very impressive, saying, “Even after being mistreated, they rise up, bringing light and inspiration.”
For her, the emotional contrast was presented in a powerful way on stage.
Beyond the dance, Ms. Martínez García highlighted the role of music and the performance’s broader themes.
“The orchestra, the tenors, the voices, and the instruments all unite,” she said, “to show the reality of a history as ancient, beautiful, and traditional as China’s 5,000-year history.” Through these elements, she noted, the audience is “led across centuries of history.”
She was deeply moved by the traditional values conveyed through dance stories. “Their inner peace helps them overcome adversity,” she observed. “This prompts reflection on whether there is a deeper meaning beyond life and death.”
Her cousin Carlos shared a similar impression, praising the performers’ precision. He said the storytelling was so clear that “you understand everything perfectly without any words,” adding that the synchronization was “astonishing—truly extraordinary.”
Ms. Valero was equally impressed by the visual and emotional impact of the performance. She described it as “stunning,” highlighting “the colors, the energy,” and the dancers’ movements, which she said were “all just beautiful” and conveyed strong emotion.
In closing, Ms. Martínez García commended the artists for their dedication and the experience they create for audiences. Shen Yun, she said, “takes us out of daily life, immerses us in the stories, and guides our emotions.”
She also underscored the importance of preserving cultural traditions. “The performance shows both the China of 5,000 years ago and contemporary China,” she said, adding that this was “very important” and “deeply” appreciated.
“I truly recommend it to everyone,” she said. “We look forward to attending every year… because each year is different.”
Reporting by Haiying Wang and Olivia Li.
NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.
