Interview with NTDTV's Managing Director, Berlin
Wu Song: Spectacular Brings 'Lost Treasures of the Chinese Culture to the Stage'
By Alexander M. Hamrle/Epoch Times Germany Staff
Mar 01, 2007
The NTDTV Chinese New Year Spectacular debuted in Berlin, Germany, this week, dazzling viewers with extraordinary performances of traditional Chinese dance and music.
The following is an interview conducted with Mr. Wu Song, the managing director of NTDTV in Germany, a few days before the shows started.
ET: Mr. Wu, what significance does the New Year Spectacular have for the Chinese culture?
WS: For Chinese people, celebrating the Chinese New Year is very important. It is a special occasion to celebrate with the entire family.
The first Chinese New Year spectacular was held in 1984, and was hosted by the ruling regime in China.
Since that time, Chinese people watch a spectacular every year. Before that time, there was no spectacular. It has now become customary to watch a New Year spectacular on TV.
ET: Why is the NTDTV New Year Spectacular especially popular among the Chinese?
WS: Because Chinese people do not receive any propaganda-free performances from the usual shows in China.
The TV programs are very boring. One can hardly enjoy them. The communist regime's spectacular in China contains only dirty jokes or propaganda songs, and it is simply denigrating human beings.
Even though the audience laughs during the shows, behind this laughter one cannot find any kindness. It is a sarcastic and evil laughter. One laughs about the misfortune of others. The actors humiliate themselves on the stage. That it not compassion, one cannot learn anything good at a communist spectacular.
ET: Can you give us a brief overview about the spectacular in Berlin?
WS: Since 2004, we have been performing the global New Year Spectacular every year. We want to give the Chinese, as well as the people in the West, insights into the traditional Chinese culture. We want to show this tradition and the way it is celebrated.
ET: In what way is this year's Spectacular different from the others in the past years?
WS: We have different programs every year. What's new in the 2007 show are the dances from different ethnic peoples in China, for example from dances from Tibetans, from the Dai minority, Mongolian dances, and folk dances from northern and southern China.
This way we hope to show the diversity of the Chinese people to the world. We also have added new songs with new contents. We have also added songs about the spreading of Falun Gong and the persecution.
ET: What is Falun Gong and how is it connected to the traditional Chinese culture?
WS: Falun Gong is a traditional meditation school. Falun Gong teaches how one can follow the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance.
The practice has awakened the fundamental kindness of the people.
ET: In what way does the NTDTV Spectacular differ from a conventional spectacular produced by the Chinese communist Party?
WS: There is a very, very big difference. In countries where a communist Party is in power, they have a very strong so-called "Party culture."
The communist party spreads violence and hatred. The shows which come from China today are actually only propaganda for the communist party. One cannot see any compassion in them.
But in our Spectacular one only sees beautiful and authentic performances, things that calm people and move them deep in their hearts.
On the surface, at a communist party show, one can see brilliant colors, but one will always feel agitated. One will not think about something beautiful or noble.
Our show, however, will move the audience to tears. One often may not even know why. The power and energy behind the scenes are so strong, that one will automatically be taken over and fulfilled by it. Every person will feel this compassion. This is the biggest difference.
ET:What is the goal of the Spectacular?
WS: It is our goal, in today's society, to preserve the traditional human culture. We want to awaken the kindness in people's hearts. In our Spectacular we will not show anything evil or bad. It will not be like other shows. We want to bring the lost treasures of the more than 5000 years of Chinese culture onto the stage. One should recognize from their hearts what is truly good.
ET: Do you want to communicate a message with this Spectacular?
WS: A difficult question... people should not miss this unique chance.
ET: In Berlin, have you experienced any interference so far from the Chinese regime, such as the one you experienced in Seoul ?
WS: At least none that we are aware of.
ET: We thank you for this conversation.
