An artist improvises a talk show Tuesday, the 13th day from the Chinese New Year. Thousands of traditional Chinese stand-up comedy and cross-talk show artists from across China gathered at a folk culture fair in Majie, a small village in Baofeng County, Central China’s Henan Province each year. The fair, featuring folk artists young and old, single and in groups, dates back to more than 700 years ago. Some set up a tent or simple stage, some tied a loudspeaker to a pole, and some others just laid their speaker on the ground and sit singing and talking. Listed a national-level intangible cultural heritage, the fair attracts tens of thousands of audiences each year.

    A folk artist with music instruments tied to his legs during performance.

    A combination photo of folk artists at the fair.

    Wang Song/Xinhua