Shen Yun Performing Arts (Chinese: 神韻藝術團, lit. "divine rhythm arts troupe") is a United States-based non-profit performing arts and entertainment company that tours internationally, producing dance performances and symphony concerts. It is operated by the Falun Gong new religious movement. Shen Yun is composed of seven performing arts companies, with a total of approximately 480 performers. Shen Yun has performed in front of millions and has toured more than 130 cities across Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia.
Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by Chinese expatriate adherents of Falun Gong, and is based at Falun Gong's 427-acre (1.7 km2) Dragon Springs compound in Deerpark, New York, northwest of New York City, near where the new religious group's leader and founder, Li Hongzhi, and many of his followers also reside. Falun Gong adherents pay to rent the performance venue, promote the show, and sell tickets, with the profit going to Shen Yun. The finances of Shen Yun and Falun Gong appear to be linked, with technically separate corporations sharing funds, executives and the same mission. Li Hongzhi describes the Shen Yun performance as a means of "saving" audiences.
Shen Yun performances have received audience and critic criticism for promoting sectarian doctrines and negative views toward evolution, atheism, and homosexuality. The group is promoted by The Epoch Times, a media outlet affiliated with Falun Gong. In 2019, a NBC News assessment concluded that "The Epoch Media Group, along with Shen Yun, ... make up the outreach effort of Falun Gong". The Chinese government bars Shen Yun from performing in China as it considers Falun Gong to be an "anti-society cult" and has attempted to cancel its performances abroad by pressuring theaters and governments.
In this episode, the Iilluminaughtii takes a look at this group.
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