Actors perform dragon dance at the cross-Strait Folk Art Carnival in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 31, 2010. Folk art groups from Chinese mainland and Taiwan attended the carnival which opended on Sunday. (Xinhua/Zhang Guojun)

A carnival was kicked off in East China's Fujian Province on Sunday. It's an extravaganza of folk arts, and performers from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

More than 200 folk artists took part in a grand parade in Fujian's capital city Fuzhou. Authentic dances from Taiwan aboriginal, East China's Jiangxi and Fujian were presented to the crowds gathered along the street.

"Drum dance", performed by Taipei Folk Dance Theatre, was originated in 1662. In that year, Qing Dynasty general Zheng Chenggong defeated the Dutch invaders in Taiwan and the dance was created by local residents to celebrate. The dance is still a prominent performance at the temple fairs in Taiwan today.

Tiao Fan is a China State Intangible Cultural Heritage derived in Fujian. Artists select bamboo poles an average of 10-meters long and decorate them on the top with auspicious items. During performances they carry the pole on the shoulders, head, feet or even balance it on their teeth or nose.

The one week carnival also includes folk handicraft displays, culture forums and a tea ceremony performance. It is a rare chance for the folk art practitioners to communicate and discover same root of culture.