‘It’s regrettable that an apparent bomb threat has derailed the ability to showcase thousands of years of Chinese culture and dance,’ MP Roman Baber said.
TORONTO—The local organizers of Shen Yun Performing Arts say they are heartbroken that the company’s March 29 performance in Toronto was cancelled due to a bogus bomb threat, which they say follows a trend of the Chinese regime targeting the show to deter people from seeing it.
Shen Yun, which showcases China’s traditional culture before it was suppressed by decades of communist rule, was founded in 2006 by leading classical Chinese artists in New York, where they enjoy artistic freedom, away from repression by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
However, the organizers say the show has been a target of transnational repression by the CCP for years. Most recently, Prime Minister Mark Carney was among six world leaders who were targeted by threats sent to the show’s local organizers. The threats warned that the leaders could face harm if Shen Yun was allowed to perform in their countries.
Shen Yun, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, began the Canadian leg of its global tour in March with performances in Hamilton, Mississauga, and Kitchener, and had its opening two shows at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on March 28. The company was set to perform another nearly sold-out show on March 29, before the theatre cancelled the performance due to the bomb threat.
Toronto police say they responded to the bomb threat shortly after 1 p.m., and determined that the threat was unfounded.
“Officers attended, and based on the investigation, this threat appears to be unfounded,” Toronto Police spokesperson Stephanie Miceli told The Epoch Times in an email. “The investigation is ongoing at this time.”
Joel Chipkar, a spokesperson with the Falun Dafa Association of Toronto, the local organizer inviting Shen Yun to the city, said the presenters were very saddened by the cancellation.
“It broke my heart to see so many disappointed that they would not see Shen Yun, a beautiful performance that truly reflects the values we all cherish,” Chipkar told The Epoch Times.
