Fond of China, Argentina's 'Tango Queen' to perform at G20 event

BUENOS AIRES - Argentine tango star Mora Godoy first traveled to China some 15 years ago. Since then, China, a land for which she has a "deep admiration," is the country she has most often returned to with her dance company.

Hailed as the "Queen of Tango," Godoy is set to give a gala performance for heads of state attending the 13th Group of 20 (G20) summit in Buenos Aires this weekend.

In an interview with Xinhua, the dancer, choreographer, director and producer, originally from the city of La Plata, in the south of Buenos Aires Province, said tango has served as a cultural bridge that brings the two distant nations closer.

In December, the Mora Godoy Tango Company, which she founded over a decade ago, will embark on its 16th tour to the Asian nation.

"China is the country I have most been to with my company. I have a special love for the Chinese people, for what they give me when I go -- the applause, the passion they have for the tango since I first presented it there in December 2003," Godoy said.

"Culture opens borders," she added.

China and Argentina have established cultural ties, including through an appreciation for the unique Argentine dance form.

"Culture unites many countries, and for many years now I have been taking our Argentine culture to China," said Godoy.

She has taken tango to at least 150 Chinese cities over the past 15 performance tours. Her next goal is to step up the cultural exchange by teaching tango to the Chinese.

"I particularly want to teach tango in China, not just take the dance company there," she said.

Among her fondest memories of China are the shimmering lights of Shanghai's cityscape and Beijing's Forbidden City, as well as Chinese acrobatics.

"Every time I go to Beijing, I return to the Great Wall," she said.

Her love of China has been passed on to the next generation, she added.

"My daughter has been to China five times and she loves it," said Godoy.