Italian Senator Sergio Rastrelli Praises Shen Yun Performance as a Celebration of Traditional Chinese Culture
Avellino, Italy – On February 20, 2026, Italian Senator Sergio Rastrelli attended the New York ensemble’s performance of Shen Yun in Avellino, Italy, expressing his admiration for the show as a vibrant display of traditional Chinese culture and a powerful statement against oppression. This marked the third time Senator Rastrelli has experienced a Shen Yun performance.
A Loyal Fan and Advocate for Artistic Freedom
Senator Rastrelli, a member of the Brothers of Italy party and a former deputy minister of finance, regional president of Campania, and mayor of Naples, described himself as a “loyal fan” of Shen Yun. He stated the performance was “gorgeous, outstanding, and heart-warming,” and highlighted its importance in showcasing China’s cultural heritage before the advent of communism.
“It is an extraordinary display of China’s ancient (traditional) culture. It shows China before communism and China without communism. It is a cultural and spiritual heritage that cannot be lost,” Rastrelli said, according to a report from Falunau.org.
Divine Inspiration and Profound Meaning
Rastrelli emphasized the spiritual and artistic depth of Shen Yun, noting the performance evoked a sense of “divine enlightenment.” He praised the harmonious integration of color, music, and dance, and encouraged audiences to delve deeper into the stories presented on stage.
“The use of color, the contrast of music, and the coordination of dance movements are all part of the grand picture of Shen Yun, allowing us to jointly appreciate a kind of divine enlightenment,” Rastrelli explained. “In the theater, we truly feel the flow of divine breath. This is ‘Shen Yun’.”
He further added, “Watching Shen Yun is thought-provoking. You can’t just be satisfied with admiring exquisite art, because behind every story and every scene, there is a profound meaning. We need to constantly understand it to truly appreciate the beauty of Shen Yun.”
A Call for Support and Resistance to Suppression
Senator Rastrelli passionately advocated for increased support for Shen Yun within Italy, urging that the company be given the opportunity to perform in major theaters across the country. He too condemned any attempts to suppress the group, framing their work as a courageous stand against communism and a defense of freedom and tradition.
“Italy must support the growing Shen Yun Performing Arts, must ensure that Shen Yun can be performed in all major theaters in Italy, and must avoid the suppression of the communist regime in Italy (for Shen Yun), because this yearning for freedom cannot be suppressed,” he stated.
Shen Yun’s Global Impact
Shen Yun Performing Arts, known for its classical Chinese dance and music, has garnered praise from leaders and audiences worldwide. Former Italian Foreign Minister and Senator Giulio Terzi also attended a Shen Yun performance in Rome on February 13, 2026, at the Auditorium della Conciliazione, as reported by The Epoch Times.
According to Wikipedia, Sergio Rastrelli was elected to the Senate of the Republic in 2022 as a member of Brothers of Italy.