BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The China Quyi Artists Association (CQAA), an association for China's folk artists, is holding a series of activities to celebrate its 70th anniversary, the association said Friday.

Between Tuesday and Sunday, a performance week, sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and featuring various shows performed by over 400 performers of all ages, is being staged at the Erqi Theater in Beijing.

Over 2,000 pictures and 400 collection items are on display to showcase the history of the association.

Earlier this week, the CQAA also held a workshop in which Chinese folk artists gathered and pooled wisdom on the development of traditional art forms.

"Quyi" refers to various forms of narrative and singing folk arts, such as Chinese ballad singing, comic dialogues and clapper talk, which are popular among the public.

Initiated in July 1949, the CQAA evolved to its current organization after several name changes.