In 2006, a group of leading artists who had left China in search of freedom of belief and expression formed Shen Yun Performing Arts in New York.
Since then, the name Shen Yun has become well-known around the globe, and the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company has taken to the stage at many prestigious venues.
From April 6 to 16, Shen Yun will give 13 performances at Lincoln Center. From April 20 to 23, Shen Yun will give five performances in Purchase, New York.
More than 40 New York officials at the city, county, state, and federal level issued letters of congratulations, welcoming Shen Yun back to New York.
Greetings From the Senate and House
“It is a pleasure to extend my warmest greetings as you gather with Shen Yun Performing Arts to appreciate and relish the grandeur of traditional Chinese culture,” wrote Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).
“With story-based dance, ethnic and folk dance and orchestral accompaniment, Shen Yun has become an integral part of the cultural entertainment of our state. New Yorkers appreciate that Shen Yun Performing Arts has found a home at Lincoln Center.”
Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) wrote that Shen Yun has “since become an international phenomenon.
“From Tokyo to Paris, Sydney to Washington DC, Shen Yun’s live performances garner 1 million audience members each season. Some audience members drive four or more hours to see the show.”
Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), and Anthony D’Esposito (D-N.Y.) also issued proclamations to welcome Shen Yun.
State Officials Welcome Shen Yun
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, and it was not lost on the officials that this could not be accomplished if the company were in China.
State Senators George Borrello, Neil Breslin, Leroy Comrie, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Andrew Lanza, Thomas O’Mara, Roxanne Persaud, Luis Sepúlveda, James Skoufis, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, James Tedisco, and Alexis Weik also extended their greetings to Shen Yun.
“After decades of communist rule, much of this divinely inspired culture has been destroyed or forgotten, and the artistic freedom of the West enables Shen Yun artists to revive genuine ancient Chinese traditions that are rooted in virtue, faith, and moral values and bring them to life on stage,” wrote Weik.
Borrello wrote: “I want to thank the members of Shen Yun Performing Arts troupe for your dedication to artistic freedom and your contribution to the arts and humanity.”
Stewart-Cousins declared April 6, 2023, Shen Yun Day.
“Shen Yun is a brilliant artistic revival and celebration of China’s rich cultural heritage, and conveys the extraordinary depth and breadth of genuine Chinese culture and returning the magnificence of five thousand years of civilization back to life on stage; now, therefore be it that I, State Senator and Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, recognize the significant contributions and accomplishments of Shen Yun Performing Arts,” Stewart-Cousins wrote.
State Assembly members Jeffrion Aubry, Michael Benedetto, Karl Brabenec, Vivian Cook, Catalina Cruz, Michael Durso, Michael Fitzpatrick, Jarett Gandolfo, Aileen Gunther, Andrew Hevesi, Pamela Hunter, Latoya Joyner, Ron Kim, John McDonald III, John Mikulin, Angelo Morinello, Edward Ra, J. Gary Pretlow, Angelo Santabarbara, and Mary Beth Walsh also wrote Shen Yun letters of welcome.
“With a mission to revive the essence of traditional Chinese culture, the artists of Shen Yun flourish in the artistic freedom of the West, bringing ancient Chinese traditions back to life on stage for audiences worldwide,” wrote McDonald. “New York state proudly welcomes Shen Yun Performing Arts.”
Joyner wrote: “A valuable part of the diverse fabric that contributes so much to the well-being of New York City, Shen Yun Performing Arts is an important cultural resource and their Capital District and Lincoln Center performances will surely put the rich talents of musicians, dancers and other artists on fine display.”
County and City Officials Congratulate Shen Yun
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy, Middletown Mayor Joseph Destefano, Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter, Town of Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, Town Smithtown Supervisor Edward Wehrheim, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and the Nassau County Legislature also welcomed Shen Yun.
Mayor Sheehan proclaimed April 2023 as Shen Yun Performing Arts Month.
“The Capital Region is delighted to welcome Shen Yun Performing Arts to New York State,” Sheehan wrote.
Mayor McCarthy thanked “the performers for their tireless efforts in ensuring the story of their culture lives on through their performances.
“Shen Yun performances uplift humanity through messages of courage, virtue, and harmony as shared with the audience through creative and fascinating stage presentation.”
New York City Council Members Joseph Borelli, David Carr, Christopher Marte, and Sandra Ung also welcomed and thanked Shen Yun.
“In all their grace, Shen Yun stages an uplifting and emotionally moving production,” wrote Borelli.
Carr, who represents Staten Island’s 50th Council District, home to many Chinese Americans, wrote: “The Shen Yun performances encompass the traditional Chinese culture that is shared by so many in this community. I am happy to support the 2023 Shen Yun performances at Lincoln Center and hope that this event garners more popularity than ever before.”
