【新唐人2009年4月15日讯】美国神韵巡回艺术团在加拿大卡尔加里金禧剧院的三场演出吸引了众多的观众。随着晚会不同的节目内容，不仅感受到中华五千年的神传文化及传统价值，也了解了正在中国发生的一幕幕。牛仔城热情的观众对神韵精湛的表演赞不绝口，同时也对神韵用艺术的形式传递传统道德价值观的精神感到震撼。
国会议员夫人：神韵带来真正的中国传统价值观与文化
四月十三日晚，加拿大卡尔加里东区国会议员迪帕克•奥布瑞的夫人妮娜•奥布瑞与奥布瑞办公室助理马克西米女士，观赏了神韵巡回艺术团在卡尔加里金禧剧院的第三场演出，并参加了当晚的招待会。
在招待会上，妮娜身着印度传统民族盛装，脸上一直洋溢着喜悦的微笑。第一次观看神韵的她高度赞赏神韵精湛的演出，并表示沉醉其中，她说：“节目真是太精彩了，太让人陶醉了。”
妮娜为先生迪帕克因在伦敦忙于公务，无法分身而错过了这么好的演出感到遗憾，她说：“不过他叮嘱我一定代表他来观赏演出，因为神韵对他来说几个月前就如雷贯耳，因此早就希望一睹神韵之风采，解除他心中多年来的疑问。”
妮娜解释：“这个疑问就是为什么他从来没有看到过中国艺术团到世界各地弘扬中华大国的灿烂文化，而作为印度后裔的他经常看到印度艺术团在世界各地巡演，神韵的到来解除了他的迷惑，神韵为世界带来了中华五千年文明历史，让世界知道了什么是真正的中国传统价值观念与文化。”
助理马克西米女士已是第二次观看神韵，成为神韵迷的她表示不会错过任何看神韵的机会。
表演艺术教育机构经理兼作家：神韵超越了艺术本身
克里斯•卓斯特在卡尔加里一家著名的表演艺术教育机构担任市场及公共关系部经理，同时也是一位作家。他偕夫人一起观赏了神韵的演出后表示：“神韵超越了艺术本身。”
去过亚洲，接触过很多亚洲文化包括中华文化的卓斯特，惊叹于神韵的大制作，他说：“从未见过如此辉煌的演出，舞蹈精致，演员自律，真是非凡无比的杰作，顶尖的艺术。”
观看过无数演出的卓斯特表示，西方文化没有历史的深度，而中华文化源远流长，这也是神韵不同于其他表演之处，尤其是晚会所传递的信息和对心灵的冲击，让人不由发出“哇”的惊叹，这是纯娱乐节目所欠缺的，神韵超越了艺术本身。
他还提到当大幕拉开时，瞥见太太泪眼朦胧，他说：“我想，对她来说，神韵也是无可比拟的。”
卓斯特所在的机构在过去的二十多年里，致力于音乐、舞蹈和表演教育，目前是卡尔加里最全面的针对青年人的演艺训练中心。
电子公司总裁：每个人都应伸出援手
诺尔•海利是卡尔加里首屈一指的工业电子公司的总裁，该公司为油田、医院和工厂提供电源设备。四月十三日晚，海利偕夫人心情愉悦地观看了神韵巡回艺术团在卡尔加里金禧剧院的第三场演出。
海利惊叹神韵的壮观宏大，他说：“从服装、舞美、舞蹈到背景，样样都让人惊叹不已。”并表示欣赏晚会的每一个节目，他谈到对神韵歌词的理解：“那些歌词向人们讲述正在中国和世界发生的事情。法轮大法好，信仰真善忍的修炼人不可能做坏事。”
“在中国所发生的对法轮功的迫害实在恐怖，已经超出了我的想像。我们生活在加拿大这样自由的国家，从来不曾有过信仰迫害，所以我实在无法想像世界上会出现这么残酷的事情，而它就真实地发生在中国。”
海利表示支持神韵告诉人们迫害在继续，唤起人们关注的努力，他说：“每个人都应伸出援手。”
社会名流：神韵带给人们永恒的希望
神韵巡回艺术团四月十三日在加拿大卡尔加里的第三场演出，刚结束上半场演出，观众们就热切盼望下半场的开演。查尔斯•凡迪邦（Charles Van De Bon）就是怀着这样的心情，在座位上等待着，希望下半场尽快开始。八十多岁高龄的他，曾经荣幸地与英国女皇一起饮茶。演出当天，他是特意陪伴他的朋友 ——教育家嘉玛丽妮（Jamalini）观看神韵晚会，并一同庆祝朋友的八十五岁生辰大寿。
查尔斯惊叹道：“神韵晚会的水准如此之高，令人叹为观止！至高无上的精神享受，我要推荐给每一个人。”
他特别描绘了舞蹈演员们的动作：“没有想到，那些无比优雅的演员们，动作轻盈如仙，敏捷自如，舞蹈超凡脱俗，堪称极品！”
他热切地盼望着下半场的演出：“表演单位将如此艺术精品呈献给观众时，实在是我们的荣幸。”对此查尔斯心存感激，因为他已经多年不看演出了。
查尔斯说，自己的一个学生对中国历史深有研究，发现中国文化源远流长，延绵五千年，对人类历史作出过重大的贡献。他高兴的表示：“这些历史被（神韵艺术团）完美地呈现在舞台上，并带到了北美。”
“中国文化能够一直延绵承传，一直弘扬光大，就像春天那样，有一个全新的开端，中国人应该感到无比自豪。”他希望在有生之年里，可以看到这一切的发生。
查尔斯表示，神韵传递出的信息令他备受鼓舞，他说：“晚会带给人们永恒的希望，只要我们每一个人起到自己的作用，一切都会变好！”
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.
