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)