At the "Meet in Beijing" national cultural festival on April 28
the largest ever display of Mexico culture will be a highlight with
10 troupes of performing artists participating.
Mexican Ambassador to China, Sergio Ley Lopez, said his
country's participation in the event as the guest of honor
highlighted the healthy and stable Mexico-China relations since the
establishment of diplomatic ties 34 years ago.
Mexico, like China, was proud of its long history and ancient
civilization represented by the Maya Civilization, Lopez said. He
added that Mexico had 21 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
"Our government attaches great importance to Mexico-China ties,"
Lopez said, "The Mexican artistic delegation will present a huge
and diverse mosaic that represents the present creative force of
our country."
The program will start with a performance of the most important
dance company of Mexico -- the National Folk Ballet of Amalia
Hernandez.
Hernandez, Mexico's most renowned dancer, will display the
Mexican artists' innovative spirit for artistic exploration.
Another two national level dancing companies, the Yucatan Folk
Dance Company and the Alacia Schanz Modern Dance Troupe, will
perform works from Mexico's past and present bringing with them
that quite unique ability of expression through dancing.
Lopez observed that three of the greatest Mexican artists were
coming to China including cellist Carlos Prieto, popular singer
Cecilia Toussaint and soprano Eugenia Garza.
"Mexican artists succeeded in introducing folk music to the
world by adding popular musical sounds to folk music," he said. In
the Mexican cultural performances Chinese audiences will hear the
Marimba which is a traditional Mexican instrument. The Onix Troupe
will perform chamber music with a splash or two of Latin-American
styles.
Lopez explained that some groups would perform in main theaters
and others in public spaces in Beijing. It was hoped that they
would meet Chinese art students.
"Meet in Beijing", recognized as one of the most important
cultural festivals in Asia, was started in 2000 by the Chinese
government. So far the annual festival has attracted 1,000 artistic
troupes made up of 10,000 artists from around the world and an
audience of more than five million.
(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2006)