NY Officials Hail Shen Yun’s Cultural Revival Mission

NY Leaders Honor Shen Yun’s Cultural Mission

New York officials are sending a strong message of support for Shen Yun Performing Arts. Nearly 70 elected leaders from across the state have issued official proclamations or letters recognizing the group. This wave of recognition comes as Shen Yun celebrates its 20th anniversary and begins its latest run at New York’s Lincoln Center.

The officials, including members of Congress, New York State senators, and city council members, are praising Shen Yun for its artistic achievements and cultural impact. They specifically highlighted the company’s mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. This culture, Shen Yun says, represents China before communism. The group aims to share this heritage, which they believe the Chinese Communist Party has tried to destroy since 1949.

Recognizing Artistic Excellence and Values

Several members of the U.S. Congress, such as Andrew Garberino, Nicole Malliotakis, Patrick Ryan, and Elise Stefanik, issued formal documents recognizing Shen Yun’s work. Congressman Garberino went a step further, presenting the company with a special congressional certificate. He called its service to the community outstanding and invaluable.

The recognition isn’t limited to federal officials. Andrea Stewart Cousins, the majority leader of the New York State Senate, officially declared March 25th as Shen Yun Performing Arts Day. This shows a significant level of appreciation from state leadership.

New York City Council member Phil Wong, representing the 30th district, spoke about the core values Shen Yun promotes. He noted the company celebrates virtues drawn from thousands of years of Chinese civilization, including themes like goodness, strength, and peace.

Bridging Cultures and Enriching Communities

Steven Newhouse, the executive of Orange County, New York, where Shen Yun is based, also offered high praise. He views Shen Yun as a vital bridge between cultures. The company, he believes, helps people from different backgrounds understand, respect, and appreciate each other more.

Local leaders echoed these sentiments. Woodbury Town Supervisor Jaclyn Hernandez, Newberg Town Supervisor Torrance Harvey, and Middletown Mayor Joseph D. Stefano all thanked Shen Yun. They highlighted how the performances bring a rich cultural experience to communities throughout the region. This widespread support from local officials underscores Shen Yun’s perceived positive effect on community life and cultural understanding.

Why This Matters

The extensive recognition from New York officials for Shen Yun Performing Arts is significant for several reasons. It highlights the company’s success in promoting its mission on a prominent stage like Lincoln Center. More importantly, it shows a clear endorsement of Shen Yun’s narrative about traditional Chinese culture versus the culture under communist rule.

This level of support from nearly 70 elected officials suggests that Shen Yun’s message resonates with many in public office. It indicates a willingness among these leaders to acknowledge and support efforts to preserve and present cultural heritage, particularly when that heritage is framed as being suppressed.

Historical Context and Cultural Revival

Shen Yun’s stated mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. This includes spiritual and artistic traditions that predate the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Since the CCP came to power in 1949, it has implemented various campaigns aimed at reshaping Chinese society and culture. These campaigns often targeted traditional beliefs, arts, and practices, viewing them as remnants of an old society that needed to be replaced by communist ideology.

Shen Yun presents itself as a cultural antidote to this, showcasing a vision of China’s past that they say was rich and virtuous. By performing classical Chinese dance and music, the company aims to reintroduce these elements to a global audience. This resonates with audiences who may be interested in the artistic and philosophical aspects of traditional Chinese culture, separate from the modern political context.

Implications and Future Outlook

The proclamations and letters of recognition from New York officials suggest that Shen Yun is effectively communicating its mission and artistic value. This public endorsement can help bolster the company’s reputation and potentially attract larger audiences. It also provides a counter-narrative to the CCP’s portrayal of Chinese culture.

For the cultural preservation movement, Shen Yun’s success and the official support it receives can be seen as a positive development. It demonstrates that there is an audience and political will to support the revival of traditional arts and values. As Shen Yun continues its global tours and celebrates its 20th anniversary, this strong showing of support from New York leadership will likely encourage its ongoing efforts to share traditional Chinese culture worldwide.

Source: 70 New York Officials Honor Shen Yun With Proclamations and Letters of Recognition (YouTube)