【新唐人2009年4月15日訊】美國神韻巡迴藝術團在加拿大卡爾加里金禧劇院的三場演出吸引了眾多的觀眾。隨著晚會不同的節目內容，不僅感受到中華五千年的神傳文化及傳統價值，也了解了正在中國發生的一幕幕。牛仔城熱情的觀眾對神韻精湛的表演讚不絕口，同時也對神韻用藝術的形式傳遞傳統道德價值觀的精神感到震撼。
國會議員夫人：神韻帶來真正的中國傳統價值觀與文化
四月十三日晚，加拿大卡爾加里東區國會議員迪帕克•奧布瑞的夫人妮娜•奧布瑞與奧布瑞辦公室助理馬克西米女士，觀賞了神韻巡迴藝術團在卡爾加里金禧劇院的第三場演出，並參加了當晚的招待會。
在招待會上，妮娜身著印度傳統民族盛裝，臉上一直洋溢著喜悅的微笑。第一次觀看神韻的她高度讚賞神韻精湛的演出，並表示沉醉其中，她說：“節目真是太精彩了，太讓人陶醉了。”
妮娜為先生迪帕克因在倫敦忙於公務，無法分身而錯過了這麼好的演出感到遺憾，她說：“不過他叮囑我一定代表他來觀賞演出，因為神韻對他來說幾個月前就如雷貫耳，因此早就希望一睹神韻之風采，解除他心中多年來的疑問。”
妮娜解釋：“這個疑問就是為甚麼他從來沒有看到過中國藝術團到世界各地弘揚中華大國的燦爛文化，而作為印度後裔的他經常看到印度藝術團在世界各地巡演，神韻的到來解除了他的迷惑，神韻為世界帶來了中華五千年文明歷史，讓世界知道了甚麼是真正的中國傳統價值觀念與文化。”
助理馬克西米女士已是第二次觀看神韻，成為神韻迷的她表示不會錯過任何看神韻的機會。
表演藝術教育機構經理兼作家：神韻超越了藝術本身
克里斯•卓斯特在卡爾加里一家著名的表演藝術教育機構擔任市場及公共關係部經理，同時也是一位作家。他偕夫人一起觀賞了神韻的演出後表示：“神韻超越了藝術本身。”
去過亞洲，接觸過很多亞洲文化包括中華文化的卓斯特，驚嘆於神韻的大製作，他說：“從未見過如此輝煌的演出，舞蹈精緻，演員自律，真是非凡無比的傑作，頂尖的藝術。”
觀看過無數演出的卓斯特表示，西方文化沒有歷史的深度，而中華文化源遠流長，這也是神韻不同於其他表演之處，尤其是晚會所傳遞的信息和對心靈的衝擊，讓人不由發出“哇”的驚嘆，這是純娛樂節目所欠缺的，神韻超越了藝術本身。
他還提到當大幕拉開時，瞥見太太淚眼朦朧，他說：“我想，對她來說，神韻也是無可比擬的。”
卓斯特所在的機構在過去的二十多年裡，致力於音樂、舞蹈和表演教育，目前是卡爾加里最全面的針對青年人的演藝訓練中心。
電子公司總裁：每個人都應伸出援手
諾爾•海利是卡爾加里首屈一指的工業電子公司的總裁，該公司為油田、醫院和工廠提供電源設備。四月十三日晚，海利偕夫人心情愉悅地觀看了神韻巡迴藝術團在卡爾加里金禧劇院的第三場演出。
海利驚嘆神韻的壯觀宏大，他說：“從服裝、舞美、舞蹈到背景，樣樣都讓人驚嘆不已。”並表示欣賞晚會的每一個節目，他談到對神韻歌詞的理解：“那些歌詞向人們講述正在中國和世界發生的事情。法輪大法好，信仰真善忍的修煉人不可能做壞事。”
“在中國所發生的對法輪功的迫害實在恐怖，已經超出了我的想像。我們生活在加拿大這樣自由的國家，從來不曾有過信仰迫害，所以我實在無法想像世界上會出現這麼殘酷的事情，而它就真實地發生在中國。”
海利表示支持神韻告訴人們迫害在繼續，喚起人們關注的努力，他說：“每個人都應伸出援手。”
社會名流：神韻帶給人們永恆的希望
神韻巡迴藝術團四月十三日在加拿大卡爾加里的第三場演出，剛結束上半場演出，觀眾們就熱切盼望下半場的開演。查爾斯•凡迪邦（Charles Van De Bon）就是懷著這樣的心情，在座位上等待著，希望下半場儘快開始。八十多歲高齡的他，曾經榮幸地與英國女皇一起飲茶。演出當天，他是特意陪伴他的朋友 ——教育家嘉瑪麗妮（Jamalini）觀看神韻晚會，並一同慶祝朋友的八十五歲生辰大壽。
查爾斯驚嘆道：“神韻晚會的水準如此之高，令人嘆為觀止！至高無上的精神享受，我要推薦給每一個人。”
他特別描繪了舞蹈演員們的動作：“沒有想到，那些無比優雅的演員們，動作輕盈如仙，敏捷自如，舞蹈超凡脫俗，堪稱極品！”
他熱切地盼望著下半場的演出：“表演單位將如此藝術精品呈獻給觀眾時，實在是我們的榮幸。”對此查爾斯心存感激，因為他已經多年不看演出了。
查爾斯說，自己的一個學生對中國歷史深有研究，發現中國文化源遠流長，延綿五千年，對人類歷史作出過重大的貢獻。他高興的表示：“這些歷史被（神韻藝術團）完美地呈現在舞臺上，並帶到了北美。”
“中國文化能夠一直延綿承傳，一直弘揚光大，就像春天那樣，有一個全新的開端，中國人應該感到無比自豪。”他希望在有生之年裡，可以看到這一切的發生。
查爾斯表示，神韻傳遞出的信息令他備受鼓舞，他說：“晚會帶給人們永恆的希望，只要我們每一個人起到自己的作用，一切都會變好！”
As Calgary prepares to host the renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts for three shows at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, greeting letters have been pouring in from civic servants, community, and business leaders.
The letters extend a warm welcome to the New York-based Shen Yun, a performing arts company that has been travelling the world showcasing China』s traditional culture through classical Chinese dance and music.
Writing on behalf of the Alberta Liberals and the province of Alberta, Harry Chase, MLA for Calgary-Varsity, extended greetings to the performers, organizers and attendees of the show.
“I have always been fascinated by the spectacle and sheer majesty of the traditional Chinese arts, and the [Shen Yun] Performing Arts extravaganza represents one of the purest and most entertaining examples of the genre,” he said.
Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit, said in his letter that with its “world class performers and dazzling choreography, the [Shen Yun] Performing Arts tour is a unique artistic and cultural experience that simply cannot be missed.”
MP Blake Richards extended his congratulations to Shen Yun “for capturing the spirit and cultural splendor of Chinese dance and music, myth and legend. …. Your splendid show has been internationally recognized and has drawn praise across our nation.”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper sent his “best wishes for a memorable performance.
“I am certain that the intricate costumes, brilliant choreography, and outstanding musical compositions that you will be treated to this evening will be a wonderful reflection of the grandeur of 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture, and of the great pride felt by the Chinese Canadian community.”
In welcoming Shen Yun, Hon. Minister Alison Redford, minister of Justice and attorney general, said, “This amazing event demonstrates that the City of Calgary is not only home to many different cultures but [also] embraces the traditions and celebrations of each culture.”
Jason Kenney, minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism, said Shen Yun “can be proud, as your organization exemplifies the Canadian values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. Through your performances, you help to these values around the world as you delight audiences with your magnificent example of traditional Chinese culture.”
In his letter, MLA Moe Amery thanked not only the artists but also everyone in the Chinese community who worked to bring Shen Yun to Calgary.
“There is no better way to celebrate the tradition of multiculturalism than to have such an internationally renowned [company] of artists performing for Albertans. I am sure that all in attendance will greatly appreciate the time and effort given by these artists to perform Chinese dances that are around three millennia old,” he said.
Bob McPhee, general director and CEO of Calgary Opera, said Shen Yun』s “world class performers and orchestra—coupled with spectacular scenery and costumes—will surely delight every Albertan in attendance.
“The mandate of [Shen Yun] Performing Arts to promote appreciation and awareness of traditional Chinese culture is imperative in today』s 『global』 society. We are very fortunate to have this opportunity to develop our understanding of Chinese culture so accurately and in such a grand 『up close』 format.”
Pat Cochrane, board chair with the Calgary Board of Education, sent “wishes for a magnificent performance” on behalf of the Calgary Board of Education』s Board of Trustees.
“[Shen Yun] Performing Arts encourages cross-cultural understanding along with promoting arts and culture to spectators in cities around the world. Thank you for providing some of our students with the opportunity to experience your show and to learn about Chinese dance and performance art,” Ms. Cochrane wrote.
Writing on behalf of the City of Calgary, Alderman John Mar said that as a fifth generation Canadian of Chinese descent, he takes “great pride in helping others understand our unique culture and history. Through pure inspiration of myth, legend, and divine beauty of over 5,000 years of Chinese culture, the [Shen Yun] Performing Arts continues to bring this performance to the world.”
MP Deepak Obhrai said that as Calgary is home to a vibrant Chinese community, the show “is a wonderful opportunity for them, as well as all citizens of Canada, to learn and to appreciate one of the world』s richest cultures.”
In his letter Sean Durfy, president and chief executive officer for Westjet, wrote:
“I wish you the best success in the staging of this production in our great city. This event will only help to increase Calgary』s reputation as a wonderful multicultural city and help to ensure our ongoing prosperity.”
Alderman Ric McIver, Ward 12, and Alderman Druh Farrell, Ward 7, also sent greetings.
“Calgarians will be awed by the beauty and human dignity expressed through this performance,” wrote Mr. Farrell.
“This is an opportunity for the Chinese community to celebrate their heritage, as well as an opportunity for Calgarians to experience a magnificent show while expanding on their understanding of this unique culture.”
Shen Yun Performing Arts will play three shows at the Jubilee on Sunday, April 12 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and on Monday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. After Calgary, the show will play in Edmonton on April 15 and April 16 and in Regina on April 19.
