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Antwerp, Belgium: Premiere of Chinese Spectacular Plays to Capacity Crowd, With Numerous European Government Officials in Attendance (Photos)

February 29, 2008 |   By Kerry Huang, Minghui reporter

(Clearwisdom.net) Divine Performing Arts arrived Antwerp, Belgium after successful performances in Duisberg and Frankfurt, Germany, the Netherlands, and London. The DPA performances have drawn rave reviews and were attended by many European dignitaries, including European Union MP's.

The first performance of the Chinese Spectacular played to a full house on February 26, 2008 at the Stadsschouwburg Theater in Antwerp. Belgium, situated at the center of the European economy and culture, is composed of three relatively independent autonomous governments of three different language regions: Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia. The show was attended by government officials and MP's from all three regions, who had high praise for the Chinese Spectacular.


MPs and one MP's wife from VB (Vlaams Belang) in Brussels, Belgium attended the premiere presentation of the Chinese Spectacular


MP John Vrancken from VB (Vlaams Belang) is also an owner of several companies


Jos Chabert, Vice President of the Brussels Parliament in Belgium, attended the show

Member of Brussels Parliament: Real eastern culture

Member of Brussels Parliament Johan Demol said, "I was immediately interested after hearing about the show, as being able to see traditional Chinese culture aroused my strong curiosity. In the West, we have a limited understanding of Chinese culture."


Member of Brussels Parliament Johan Demol and his wife at the Spectacular

"As for me, I enjoy traditional culture and those performances that present traditional culture, as they help me see the root of the people and the culture in that region," said MP Johan Demol. "When traditional culture is suppressed by totalitarian politics, you don't get to see the real traditional culture. Divine Performing Arts gives us a chance to see the real eastern culture."

When talking about the presentation by Divine Performing Arts, MP Johan Demol said, "The show left a deep impression on me. The quality of the show is very good. The overall color scheme of the stage, arrangements of all kinds of colors, the effect of a live orchestra, the dance performances and so on expressed a positive, optimistic and happy attitude and a yearning for life."

He continued, "The opening act of the show, 'Descent of the Celestial Kings', had a strong impact on me. It was very good. It reminded me of the legends from the ancient Greeks and Romans."

"The dynamic backdrop is done very well, particularly when the performers and the background interacted. For example, when celestial beings descended and the performers walked onto the stage. It was well presented, and it was conducive to understanding the stories and the overall impression. I have never seen such a presentation; it was well done."

"I liked the drum performances very much, those dances displaying Chinese martial arts, and the contralto's singing. Her voice is very special."

Advisor to the Walonian Minister: The show deeply impressed me

Poncelet, advisor to the Walonian Minister, said, "Such a Chinese performance is very important. China has one of the most ancient cultures. Its influence started a long time ago. I think that Chinese culture has a powerful presence in music, calligraphy and paintings."


Poncelet and his wife at the Chinese Spectacular in Belgium.

Mr. Poncelet said, "This is a beautiful show. The live orchestra is amazing, and the arrangement of colors is also beautiful. The way it portrays different nationalities in China, overall, left a deep impression on me. The flow of the performances kept the audience's attention all the time. I'm honored to enjoy Chinese culture via the show."

Prior to the arrival of Divine Performing Arts in Europe, the Chinese Consulate had reportedly made phone calls to government officials of different countries in an attempt to stop them from watching and supporting the Chinese Spectacular shows. However, the CCP's actions had the opposite effect, as it actually aroused people's interest in the show. Several days ago, seven MP's from the ruling Party in Sweden jointly published a statement condemning the CCP's interference with the Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular and stating that they would definitely attend the Chinese Spectacular shows.