World-Renowned Cellist Yo-Yo Ma Performs Bach near Southern Border to Help Connect Cultures

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, one of the most famous cello players in the world, has recently enchanted a crowd near the southern border as part of his Bach Project.

The musician traveled to Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, on Saturday, April 13, 2019, and performed in both cities to celebrate the relationship between them, in what was known as the "Day of Action."

It has been reported that Ma played Johann Sebastian Bach's Suite No. 1 for Unaccompanied cello as a way to explore and celebrate the connection between cultures.

Yo-Yo Ma with Enrique Rivas, Mayor of Nuevo Laredo, and Pete Saenz, Mayor of Laredo, in Laredo, Texas | Photo: Texas Public Radio

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

The project has taken the musician to several countries all over the globe, where he played the composer's 300-year-old pieces to people from every religion and place of birth.

Ma's performance took place near the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge, one of points that connect the American and Mexican cities, and not even the possibility of raining drove people away.

Yo-Yo Man playing the cello near the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge, in Laredo, Texas | Photo: Texas Public Radio

SHARING HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE AUDIENCE

Initially, the 63-year-old was scheduled to perform on the bridge, but the structure would have to be closed and officials didn't believe the concert would justify the traffic and pedestrian delays.

Ma played Johann Sebastian Bach's Suite No. 1 for Unaccompanied cello as a way to explore and celebrate the connection between cultures

Nevertheless, Ma's act was highly praised by those who had the luck of witnessing it, especially people who identified with the musician's cause.

Dozens of people gathered at the Day of Action to watch Yo-Yo Ma's performance | Photo: Texas Public Radio

A 16-year-old boy named Mateo Bailey, for example, claimed that the performance had a special meaning to him considering that he was half-Mexican and half-American.

After playing for the crowd, Ma shared a few powerful words:

"As you all know, as you did, and do and will do, in culture, we build bridges, not walls. I've lived my life at the borders. Between cultures. Between disciplines. Between musics. Between generations."

TRUMP'S WARNING TO IMMIGRANTS

Ma's words spoke to those at the Day of Action, knowing how the border security issue has been affecting thousands and thousands of people ever since Donald Trump took Office.

But even though many are trying to enter the U.S., they are not allowed to be a part of the U.S. numbers because, according to the President, "the country is full."

President Donald Trump prior to his trip to Southern California to visit the U.S.-Mexico border | Photo: Getty Images

During a visit to the southern border, Trump took the opportunity to send a very clear message to those wishing to enter the U.S: no matter the reason behind their quest, there is no space left for them.

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