A Spring Festival gala is held in Longquan, Zhejiang province on Jan 20. [Photo/Zhang Yougang/cnr.cn]

People from China's rural grassroots communities came together to stage multiple distinct performances in Longquan, a county-level city in Lishui, Zhejiang province on Jan 20.

A total of 12 delegations made up of villagers from around the country demonstrated the charm of rural life with their delightful and enchanting routines. All performances were inspired by the daily lives of the villagers.

"We have been giving this performance for many years," said Wang Youqi, a 56-year-old villager from Longquan. He said they have over 20 participants, all of who are volunteers.

"The promotion of grassroots galas comes out of respect for our rural culture," said Ye Jing, vice director of Zhejiang's culture department. He said the success of the event in Longquan would boost interest in the wonderful cultures of villages across the nation and help villagers achieve their dreams of a better life.

A visitor from the United States praised the gala, saying "The performances taught me a lot about Chinese villages and Chinese culture."

Lishui, the home of Chinese folk art, began holding the Spring Festival gala in 2013, with the aim of enriching local people's spirituality. "It is an authentic celebration of Chinese rural culture," said Ge Xuebin, director of Lishui's publicity department, adding that performances by villagers reflect their admiration for their traditional culture.

Along with the gala itself, there was also a forum for discussing the relationship between the gala and rural vitalization.