(Minghui.org) New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts kicked off its 2026 season in Amnéville, France, on December 18, 2025. Tickets were sold out in advance. The performance also attracted attendees from neighbouring countries.
Shen Yun’s eight touring companies will perform in 170 cities in 21 countries across five continents in the coming months. As the new season begins, elected officials wrote letters of support to commend Shen Yun’s contributions to society and for the timeless values it upholds.
Audience members gave rave reviews after the performances. One older attendee said they were moved to tears, an audience member said the performance had a magical energy field, and one felt as if they entered a different dimension. An American army officer said the singing was full of kindness—he had never heard such compassion.
According to organisers for the performances in France, the French leg of the tour will span 15 cities, will perform 99 times, and will be viewed by approximately 247,000 audience members. Shows in ten cities were already sold out as of December 15, 2025. Due to high demand, the 2027 season is expected to expand to 18 cities and 118 performances, with an estimated 300,000 attendees.
Performing Arts Company Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Shen Yun celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The company was founded in New York’s Hudson Valley in 2006.
Shen Yun stated in a recent press release, “From humble beginnings as a group of volunteers, many of whom escaped persecution in China, Shen Yun quickly professionalised and grew from one to eight equally large touring troupes.
“It hasn’t been easy. The organisation’s founders and performers were people who practiced Falun Dafa, the Buddhist-based spiritual meditation discipline brutally persecuted in China. They were driven by a sense of urgency—innocent people just like them being killed every day. As Western media largely turned a blind eye to the atrocities, these artists were willing to go the extra mile.
“They decided that not only would they celebrate the glory of ancient Chinese civilisation, but also, as part of each performance, portray present reality in China and the courage of people of faith there.”
“This milestone reflects the dedication of hundreds of artists,” said Ying Chen, Shen Yun’s vice president and conductor. “Our remarkable performers haven’t just put on a world class show—they’re carrying forward a cultural heritage and a set of values that they cherish deeply. They are among the best in the world, and their commitment is the reason we can celebrate twenty years today.”
Shen Yun Artists Welcomed at French Airport
The Shen Yun International Company arrived at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport on December 16. The artists were greeted with flowers, applause, and fans exclaiming, “Welcome, Shen Yun!”
Performers Look Forward to Sharing All-New Production
Alistair Crawford, a trombonist with Shen Yun, said, “I think when you see this show, you really see that there’s a lot of hope—it’s very uplifting. Not only is it reviving traditional culture, but it’s demonstrating that when you do good things and follow an upright path, there are good outcomes to come from that. So it’s something very uplifting.”
Principal dancer Jared Ren said, “I feel very honoured and very excited to be part of the first show of the 20th year. And I’m just really, really eager to show the audience all our hard work that we put in this year and to show what we have for this year.
“What we portray with Shen Yun is traditional Chinese culture, the real traditional Chinese culture: ‘China before communism.’
“You know, right now, we’re living in very dark times. A lot of hard, hard stuff is happening. But we want to show people that there’s still hope in this world and maybe that hope is Shen Yun.
“I think a lot of people really understand that anything the CCP is against is going to be good—it’s going to be worth watching. If they [the CCP] are willing to invest their time, energy, and money—this biggest government in the whole world right now, they’re spending their time and effort to repress us—that means we’re doing something very, very correct,” Mr. Ren said.
Jacky Pun, another of Shen Yun’s principal dancers, said, “Honestly, it does feel a little bit surreal because we spend half a year polishing, refining our performance, especially working with the other choreographers and the crew and the production. But as soon as that curtain opens up on the first show, it’s like, ‘Wow. This is real. This is the beginning of a new journey, a new 2026 show.’
“I have a feeling that traditional values like Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance, and courage and dignity are still alive and relevant in the world today,” Mr. Pun said.
Erhu soloist Linda Wang said, “As this year marks Shen Yun’s 20th anniversary and also the opening performance of the 2026 tour, I feel both honoured and excited.
“Throughout the past several months of rehearsals, all of Shen Yun’s dancers, musicians, choreographers, and staff have given their all to prepare for this new production. Everyone has worked wholeheartedly to present a program that is both spectacular and refined.
“Now that we finally have the chance to share it with the audience, I feel very excited. I believe audiences will truly love our performance.
“For many years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has destroyed traditional Chinese culture and promoted atheism and opposition to faith. Shen Yun, on the other hand, shows the world what China was like before the CCP, and exposes the persecution of Falun Gong. This is why the CCP is especially fearful and does not want the truth to be revealed, doing everything it can to prevent people from seeing the performances. But I think the facts have proven that they are unable to truly stop people from watching Shen Yun,” Ms. Wang said.
American and Polish Elected Officials Honour Shen Yun’s Contributions
U.S. Senator John Cornyn from Texas wrote, “I recently learned that Shen Yun Performing Arts is celebrating its twentieth anniversary and the beginning of its world tour, including multiple performances in Texas. Congratulations on this significant milestone.
“This is an accomplishment for which you and your entire organization can be proud. Celebrating this anniversary shows your dedication to preserving and sharing classical Chinese dance, music, and tradition.”
Texas State Senator Donna Campbell, M.D. wrote in the certificate gifting Shen Yun a flag:
“In Honor of the 20th Anniversary of Shen Yun Performing Arts & gratitude for their defense of human freedom, this flag was flown over the Capitol of the Great State of Texas with best wishes of Texas State Senator Donna Campbell, M.D.”
Cities across the state of Texas issued official commendations marking Shen Yun’s 20th anniversary.
Mayor Steven L. Reed of Montgomery, Alabama, wrote in his proclamation:
“I, Steven L. Reed, Mayor of the City of Montgomery, Alabama, together with the members of the Montgomery City Council, do hereby proclaim and recognise Shen Yun Performing Arts Day in the City of Montgomery, Alabama, and encourage all residents to attend, support, and celebrate this world-class performance and the timeless virtues it so beautifully upholds.”
The 2026 Poland tour begins on December 28 in the historic city of Toruń, and the artists will travel to Toruń, Białystok, Łódź, and Lublin.
The governor of Łódź and mayors of Łódź and Toruń granted Shen Yun “Patronat Honorowy” (“Honorary Patronage”), a high distinction in Poland reserved for cultural events of exceptional artistic merit and prestige.
For more information about performance times, locations, and tickets, please visit www.shenyun.com.
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