20 January 2024

From: Shen Yun Performing Arts, New York, USA

To: European Parliament, Strasbourg, France

Dear Members of the European Parliament,

On behalf of Shen Yun Performing Arts, we wish to sincerely thank you for your 18 January resolution on the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. The resolution is important, well-written, and impactful. No doubt it will restrain the persecution in China, encourage countless Falun Gong practitioners and their families suffering under it, and bring us closer to finally ending these atrocities, which have gone on for a quarter century.

Our company, Shen Yun, was established by Falun Gong practitioners who fled persecution in China. They are dancers and choreographers, musicians and composers, singers and production artists. But what they share in common is a mission of reviving traditional Chinese culture and bringing awareness to the brutal persecution Falun Gong practitioners face in China today.

In fact, among our performers are artists who experienced persecution themselves, lost parents to it, and have family members still imprisoned for the beliefs. Every year, Shen Yun performances include stories beautifully depicted through dance on stage, telling of the courage of these peaceful people in the face of the world’s largest tyrannical regime.

Because of our mission and the stories we portray, not only are we not allowed to perform in China, but we also face transnational repression from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Every year, the CCP, through its consulates and embassies worldwide, tries pressuring theaters and elected officials to cancel our performances, tries to intimidate our artists, and has even slashed tires on our company vehicles and imprisoned performers’ family members back in China.

In short, the persecution in China along with the CCP’s repression around the world—both of which are clearly articulated in this resolution—are issues that touch us deeply, and so again, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for passing this vitally important resolution. We would also like to take this opportunity to applaud the elected officials and theater directors across Europe who have stood up to the CCP’s intimidation tactics and supported both Shen Yun and artistic freedom.

During the course of our travels through Europe, the responses we receive from audience members have been uplifting. Be it in Berlin or Paris, Prague or Milan, audience members tell us the show’s universal values and traditional virtues of loyalty, integrity, and faith resonate deep within them, especially the principles of Falun Gong depicted in the show of truth, compassion, and forbearance. Often with tears in their eyes they tell us how moved they were by the stories about the persecution in China and how they wish it will end. With this resolution, you have spoken on their behalf as well, and for that we also thank you!

With best wishes for a brighter future,

Shen Yun Performing Arts