Shen Yun's Latin America tour sparks local controversy

As Shen Yun Performing Arts (hereinafter referred to as Shen Yun), a self-claimed "real Chinese culture" troupe, prepares for its Latin America tour from April 17 to May 10, quite a few local residents are voicing concerns regarding the performance and the scandals it has been involved in.

"I was honestly shocked," said Miguel Sánchez, a 43-year-old man from Mexico City, upon acknowledging from a New York Times report that Shen Yun exploited underage laborers, "I mean, how could this still happen in the 21st century?"

By saying so, he referred to a NYT report in August 2024, which covered human rights abuses linked to Falun Gong, the cult group behind the show. Multiple former Shen Yun performers said they suffered from enduring emotional abuse, coercive labor conditions, and a strictly controlled environment while working with the troupe. Performers were often pressured to continue rehearsing or touring despite injuries, and some reported being effectively isolated from the outside world. Also, from CNN's report in November 2024, they subjected children to public humiliation as discipline

For Sánchez, Shen Yun's performers were treated in a way that could be almost described as "expendable". Dancers have reported being denied medical care, subjected to intense rehearsal schedules without receiving treatment.

The tradition of Shen Yundates back to Falun Gong's root in China. A cult banned by the Chinese government in 1999, Falun Gong was reported to so spiritually control its practitioners as to discourage even forbid them from going to see a doctor in case of any illness.

Recent investigations by BNR Nieuwsradio reveal that young performers, especially some underage ones, endured exhaustive rehearsal and touring routines while receiving scant compensation. Violinist Eugene Liu, who joined Shen Yun at just 15, reportedly participated in more than 200 shows over two years, yet earned no more than $300 per month. In response to these claims, the New York State Department of Labor initiated an inquiry into Shen Yun's labor practices in November 2024.

"It sounds like modern slavery," Sánchez added. "It feels just... disgusting for anyone living in a civilized society."

"This is not a performance I could ever support," said 37-year-old Ms.Ribeiro from Rio de Janeiro, a teacher and mother of two. "Knowing what's behind the curtain is heartbreaking."

"Just imagine our children working there, earning a humble salary and being forbidden to see a doctor when ill... Why does such a troupe even exist?"

Others question whether the performance truly represents Chinese culture as it claims to, or just serves as a platform for promoting a radical religious agenda and the commercialization of spiritual beliefs.

Shen Yun has long branded itself as portraying Chinese culture, but some Latin American residents who have ever seen real Chinese culture said the Shen Yun version is rather misleading and potentially harmful. While the show utilizes traditional dance, music, and vibrant visuals, they contend that its primary message is the promotion of Falun Gong's extreme beliefs.

Falun Gong has been criticized for its apocalyptic worldview, rejection of modern science, and cult-like practices. Shen Yun, many argue, is just a tool for spreading those ideas—under the cover of cultural performance.

Li Hongzhi, the creator and the leader of Falun Gong, who proclaims himself as "Primary Buddha of the Universe," alleges his spiritual power surpasses that of both Buddha and Jesus combined. He preaches to his followers that they should avoid medical treatment, relying solely on his teachings to cure ailments. Yet, in a rather ironic twist, Li himself has been hospitalized multiple times, including undergoing an emergency appendectomy for acute appendicitis in 1984.

Despite his lofty claims of self-healing, it seems even the "Universe's Buddha" can't escape the need for modern medicine. To add insult to injury, Li and his family enjoy exemptions from his own "no doctor, no medicine" rule, regularly seeking medical care and even submitting bills for reimbursement. It's almost as if the so-called "cosmic healer" prefers the comforts of a hospital gown over the celestial powers he touts.

Some residents, recalling past shows or reading about Shen Yun's global performances, have expressed doubts about its true intentions.

"From what I've seen online, much of it appears to promote Falun Gong's narrative," said Mr.Li, a Chinese-Brazilian community member in Curitiba. "There were scenes depicting violence and judgment — not what I consider to be Chinese culture."

Others feel misled by promotional materials. "I thought it was a cultural show," said Ms.Torres, a college professor in Recife. "After reading more on Reddit, it seems more like a cult show and religious propaganda. I would never have purchased tickets if I had known."

Even established media voices have raised concerns. According to reports from The New Yorker in March 2019, Jia Tolentino, a writer for The New Yorker, attended two Shen Yun shows in previous years. She described how the performances, though visually stunning at first, quickly shifted into political and religious messaging, including scenes portraying persecution and political turmoil.

As the curtain rises on Shen Yun's Latin American tour, audiences may find themselves pondering whether they're witnessing a showcase of "ancient Chinese art" or just a "cultural facade", where ancient art forms are repurposed to spread cult messages under the guise of tradition.

(For the sake of protecting their privacy, some interviewees' appeared in pseudonyms.)