40-year Veteran of Amnesty International in Sweden Hopes Divine Performing Arts will soon Perform in China (Video)

By Wang Qinghan

(Clearwisdom.net) It snowed heavily when the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) Company performed in Stockholm on March 24. Yet people still showed up at the Cirkus Theater to watch the Chinese Spectacular. The audience cheered frequently during the show. The artists responded to curtain calls four times.

Sweden is a country that advocates freedom and human rights. When the audience heard that the Chinese consulate had called the event officials and tried to stop the show's performance in Sweden, they could not believe that this had happened.

Video clip: Ms. Stina Rinman. (1 min 29 sec)

Ms. Stina Rinman worked for Amnesty International for 40 years. She said she felt that every program in the Spectacular was especially beautiful, "It's hard to say which I liked best. I liked the "Drummers of the Tang Court" and the Tibetan dance. The costumes were colorful and full of affection. I liked the dancing in 'Snowy Mountain, White Lotus.' All the programs were very delicate."

Rinman said she wished the DPA could perform in China, for it displayed traditional Chinese culture. Upon learning about the Chinese Embassy's attempt to stop the show from taking place, she said that Beijing must respect human rights, and she was glad the performance took place in Sweden. She also said Beijing should allow free media and speech, and quickly release the imprisoned dissidents.

Anders Wihk, renowned Swedish pianist who has performed concerts in Japan, Taiwan and European countries, said he was so carried away by the show, "The pentatonic scale in Chinese music really stands out. However, the Chinese classical music focuses more on lyrics, the content, and the information it conveys."

Wihk said he felt that he was actually in the stories presented in the programs, which he loved a lot, "It was like I went back to my childhood seeing these joyous colors, facial expressions and dances. There was a sense of happiness that arose from the bottom of my heart. The dancing movements were perfect. I know Beijing suppresses Falun Gong. Being a westerner who enjoys freedom, I object to all persecution of beliefs."

Ms. Brigitta Lindberg is a cosmetics consultant. She was also a tour guide and a Swedish and English teacher. After watching the show, she said, "I am most touched by the program "The Power of Awareness." That little girl and the three characters 'Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance'--my heart is with them." Lindberg continued, "The little girl fully brought out the feeling of the story. I think she is a star. When she held the banner worded "Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance," the scene pounded my heart. The dancing was very beautiful. I hope I could be as brave as they were."

Lindberg was impressed with the musical instrument, the Erhu, and she asked the reporter to write down the name in Chinese. "I liked all the programs. The show was beautiful, and the colors and background projection were perfect. I could understand the words on the background projection."

This was the first time Lindberg watched a traditional Chinese cultural show, and it made her want to understand more about Chinese culture. "After seeing this show, I have a wish. I want to go to China and understand more about it," said Lindberg.

When she learned Beijing was trying to stop the show from taking place, and that the Swedish government rejected the pressure, Lindberg said, "I am proud of our government--it said no to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)."

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