A poster promotes Ma Xiaohui's speech, Magic on Two Strings. [Photo/chinaculture.org]

Sponsored by China's Ministry of Culture, the Chinese Culture Talk series held by the China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG) made its Mexican debut in Mexico City at the end of August. Famous Chinese erhu player Ma Xiaohui was the headliner, with appearances at three prestigious universities, respectively on August 31, September 2 and 5.

Ma gave the opening talk, Magic on Two Strings, at Sor Juana Convent University on Wednesday, with more than 100 teachers and students attending.

Ma started her speech by noting, "China and Mexico are two cultural giants. I believe Chinese Culture Talk is bound to get Mexicans more acquainted with Chinese culture."

Then she elaborated on her erhu, a traditional Chinese musical instrument with more than 1,000 years of history. She continued to talk about Chinese folk music and traditional culture, coupled with her thoughts as an artist.

"The erhu was imported from the Middle East during the Tang Dynasty and has gained popularity ever since across China. So it's a multicultural expression. It has two strings, which may symbolize yin and yang, sun and moon, you and me, sense and sensibility, or west and east. No amount of metaphors is enough to demonstrate erhu's simple but profound beauty," she said.