To ring in the first day of the Lunar New Year with a nod to ancient Chinese culture, the Texas House of Representatives passed a resolution to officially name Jan. 29 “Shen Yun Day” to applaud and recognize Shen Yun Performing Arts for its efforts at reviving 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture and values around the world.
The New York-based company tours the world with a mission, to give people a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of “China before communism.” Shen Yun’s performances convey principles of faith, freedom, and hope, values that are shared with many in the United States.
“My wife dragged me to Shen Yun last Christmas and I was deeply moved. And I really feel like every high school kid in the United States should see Shen Yun,” Texas State Rep. Steve Toth (District 15) said. “I thought I was going to see just beautiful ballet but what I got is a history lesson of the beauty of the Chinese culture and what communism has done to destroy it.”
Texas State Rep. Tom Oliverson (District 130) said, “I think Texas is all about freedom and free expression. I know that Shen Yun cares a lot about traditional Chinese values and culture. So we see Shen Yun being in a position to help Americans and also Chinese to remember their culture and heritage pre-communism. That’s a very important legacy. I think Texans uniquely understand the importance of that. It’s who we are as Texans, as our history and our heritage.”
Traditional Chinese culture is rooted in spirituality and belief in the Divine. Shen Yun showcases these themes in its story-based dances, presenting China’s myths and legends along with true stories set in modern-day communist China, exposing the regime’s persecution of faith groups like the self-improvement practice Falun Gong—based on the teachings of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.
According to Shen Yun’s website, Falun Gong is a source of inspiration for their performances.
“I think culture and freedom is good. It seems like a natural fit for me as a lawmaker, to support organizations that are anti-communist, because I decry the evils of communism, the innocent lives that have been destroyed, the desire of government to control the actions and thoughts of people,” Dr. Oliverson said. “These are very, very anti-American bad concepts, so it’s good to oppose them.”
Texas State Rep. Briscoe Cain (District 128) said, Shen Yun “shines an example that communism really, quite simply, kills. It kills dreams, kills hopes, kills families. It just destroys everything and concentrates power. But Shen Yun, and the movement behind it, stands for this premise that the people are free. And when allowed to pursue their dreams, great things happen; communities are lifted up and people prosper.”
Through each performance, the Texas state representatives resonated with the message of freedom.
Mr. Toth said, “I had no idea what Shen Yun was … until I found this incredible, inspiring message of freedom and liberty, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to express who you are, and Shen Yun does it so well. And I just hope and pray that the kids of Texas and across the United States will see it.”
Mr. Cain said, “I’m really excited about the partnership that we’re creating that if Shen Yun is standing for freedom that Texas is here to defend the freedom of those seeking freedom around the world.”
Dr. Oliverson added, “We applaud the remarkable skill, discipline, and artistry of Shen Yun’s performers who preserve and celebrate ancient cultural heritage through their dedication and talent, and extend them our best wishes for a memorial and successful 2025 tour with gratitude for Shen Yun’s contributions to the arts and cultural enrichment in Texas and beyond.”
Shen Yun will perform three shows on Feb. 15 and Feb. 16 at the CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center in Cypress, Texas.
NTD News, Austin, Texas
