Chinese dancers perform during the Silk Road cultural project Experience China 2018 - the culture of western China in Ukraine in Kiev, Ukraine, June 26, 2018.

The Silk Road cultural project Experience China 2018 -- the culture of western China in Ukraine kicked off here on Tuesday, offering the local public a glance into art, music and traditions of western China.

The event started with a grand concert entitled Magical Silk Road held in the Center for culture and arts of Kiev Polytechnic University.

During the show, 13 performances, including traditional and modern songs of western China and bright dances with elements of acrobatics and martial arts were performed on the stage.

Chinese artists also charmed the Ukrainian public with a play on erhu, a Chinese two-stringed instrument with a more than 1,000-year history, which is also known as a "Chinese violin."

A highlight of the concert was a Chinese singer Chen Tao singing a Ukrainian song My Kiev, who won roaring applause from the Ukrainian public.

In parallel with the concert, a photo exhibition entitled Colorful Western China is held as a part of the cultural event. It features 45 pictures capturing scenery, ecology, everyday life and traditional culture of western China.

The cultural event, hosted by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) of China and the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine, has drawn the audience of about 1,500 spectators, including Ukrainian officials and government representatives.

Ren Xiangqun, the deputy director of the Human Rights Affairs Department of the SCIO, said the event will deepen cultural exchanges between China and Ukraine.