By a Falun Dafa practitioner in France

(Clearwisdom.net) On February 24, 2007, two consecutive performances of the Chinese New Year Spectacular drew to successful close at the Grand Amphitheatre of the Palais des Congres de Paris. Warm reaction from the audience reflected the show's powerful impact on Paris, the international capital famous for arts. The brilliant performance opened a new door to different meanings of an ancient culture.

French Member of Parliament, the Mayor of Acon City in Normandie, M. Joel Hervieu is interviewed after watching the NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular in Paris

French alto singer Ms. Therese Nedelec is interviewed

After the show, the audience was reluctant to leave, and bought albums and DVDs of the gala shows

An audience member is interviewed after the show

French Member of Parliament, the Mayor of Acon City in Normandie, M. Joel Hervieu, came to see the show with his wife. Both enjoyed the show very much. M. Hervieu described each program as a high quality, beautiful picture with strong Chinese flavor of expression. In particular, he mentioned the scene in A Dunhuang Dream when the sculptor woke up from his dream as especially expressive. He went on to say that the program represented peace, serenity and respect for others.

The President and Founder of Towercast, a European TV broadcast equipment supply company, M. Jacques Roques, said at the end of the performance, "The show I saw today was dazzling. Through songs, dances and colors, the production conveyed a sense of hope, which was so strong that I felt purified afterwards. To me the most touching thing is that this group of persecuted are full of hope. Meanwhile behind the sense of peace and love, we could feel that the persecution is continuing. But everybody is silent because usually when we mention China we talk about its economy. In my opinion, they brought hope to people through this performance, which was marvelous."

The Culture and News Attach¨¦ of the Norwegian Embassy to France, Mme. Tove Kijewski, stated, "It was different from what I imagined. The program was rich in variety. Music was also different from what I thought. Dances were more diversified. The colorful costumes and jewelry were exquisite. The technical aspects were perfect too. I was deeply moved. To me it opened a new window with a view, a new door. My favorites were the song Why Refuse, its soprano, and the song Tiananmen Square, Please Tell Me."

French alto Therese Nedelec commented, "Being an alto, my favorite performances were that of the alto and the Erhu. I was completely immersed in a different mood, which was a great feeling." She continued to say that while listening to Tiananmen Square, Please Tell Me she felt calm yet was moved to tears. She hoped to translate the song into a dozen languages and sing it in China.

Alto Eva praised, "The gala was a pageantry, which reached a very high artistic level. It seemed like a dream with brilliant colors. The Erhu performance, in particular, deeply touched my heart. I was almost moved to tears."

A Chinese audience from Paris enthused, "Superb! Fantastic! I enjoyed it a great deal, especially the dancing, which brought out the spirit of the ancient Chinese culture. The details about ancient China were wonderful. I hope to be able to see it again in the future."

A Chinese lady who attended the performance with her French husband and their child said, "The show was extraordinary, very interesting. My favorite was the Erhu, which was beautifully delivered and lovely." She wanted very much for her husband to learn more about Chinese culture. They came to the performance each year. Her husband, an employee of French Airlines, Thomas, said, "This is our second time at the performance. I enjoy the colors and the sincerity in the programs, which is the reason why I love to come." He said he would come to the show again next year.

Catherine from Saint Mande in Paris had been studying Chinese for a long time. She said, "I am extremely pleased for being able to make it to the show this year. My friends invited me. The gala was stunning with a thought-provoking theme. I love the Chinese language and culture." She said in Chinese, "Happy New Year!"

An overseas Chinese lady who had lived in Paris for thirty-five years commented, "The performance was splendid, very special. To a westerner, the graceful costumes were lavish. The color combinations were distinctively Chinese in style. The background music was also well-suited. This is Chinese art, which makes me very proud. It is great to see so many stories about the benevolence of Gods and Buddhas. I believe foreigners would appreciate but probably do not understand much. This is also a chance for them to learn."

A businessman from Taiwan, Mr. Chou, said, "Everyone performed amazingly well in the show, which was steeped in Chinese culture. The setting, the costumes, the music, everything was perfect. The style of the costume was from Tang Dynasty. The music was of an elegant, refined style. Everything including the prop was spot on.

"It would be great if New Tang Dynasty TV hosts the New Year Spectacular every year. We have lived overseas for a long time without seeing any culture. The second generation Chinese do not have either Chinese or western culture. I feel it is now high time to carry forward the Chinese culture. The Chinese culture teaches us a lot, such as the way of the monarch and his subjects, of husband and wife, of father and son, of family, of friendship. The Chinese culture is like a cup of tea, its fragrant aroma spills over far and wide.

"In my view, Falun Gong's Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance is the Chinese culture. 'Truthfulness' is not to deceive. 'Compassion' is universal love for all in the world rather than only maintaining one's own integrity. 'Forbearance' is putting up with a temporary situation to fight for generations to come. Today's performance was fabulous. Falun Gong has a galaxy of talents. Thank you for depicting Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance."

Posting date: 3/2/2007
Original article date: 3/2/2007
Category: Falun Dafa Worldwide
Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2007/2/26/149773.html