People visit the Pingyao International Photography Festival at Pingyao County in Jinzhong, north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2020. The festival kicked off on Saturday, displaying more than 10,000 photography works by over 2,400 photographers from 15 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

 
The 20th Pingyao International Photography Festival (PIP) kicked off on Saturday in Pingyao, one of China's best-preserved ancient towns in north China's Shanxi Province.

The festival, which will last for a week, displays over 10,000 works of 2,400 photographers from 14 countries, including Russia and Germany.

Under the theme of "happy life, mutual support" this year, the PIP festival will include photo exhibitions on China's poverty alleviation efforts and the fight against COVID-19.

People pose for photos during their visit at the Pingyao International Photography Festival at Pingyao County in Jinzhong, north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2020. The festival kicked off on Saturday, displaying more than 10,000 photography works by over 2,400 photographers from 15 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

 
Due to the epidemic, the festival will be held both online and offline this year, said Zhang Guotian, artistic director of the festival.

Launched in 2001, the annual PIP festival has attracted photographers from a total of more than 100 countries and regions, and it is considered an important stage for cross-cultural communication.

A visitor takes photos at the Pingyao International Photography Festival at Pingyao County in Jinzhong, north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2020. The festival kicked off on Saturday, displaying more than 10,000 photography works by over 2,400 photographers from 15 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

 

A man visits the Pingyao International Photography Festival at Pingyao County in Jinzhong, north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2020. The festival kicked off on Saturday, displaying more than 10,000 photography works by over 2,400 photographers from 15 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)