China is getting ready for its biggest holiday, the Spring Festival, which is just around the corner. In anticipation, a gala gathering the most outstanding artists in China has been held at the Great Hall of the People in Tian’anmen Square, to welcome the Year of the Horse.

More than 2,000 veteran artists attend the gala, including 84-year-old singer Hu Songhua and 91-year-old dancer Jia Zuoguang.

Veteran artists celebrate the Year of the Horse

"This is a very unique gala. Both the performers and audience are very famous artists. Many of them have been my idols since I was young. I’m very excited to meet them," cross-talk artist Jiang Kun said.

"It’s nice to have this yearly gathering with artists from all over the country," said actor Zhang Guoli.

Many are bringing their new work to the stage, to exchange ideas and inspiration.

"I took part in five or six TV series. Not too much work. But there’s been a lot of variety," actress Xie Fang said.

"I’m the director of this year’s Youth Olympic Games, which will be held in August," director Chen Weiya said.

"There are so many outstanding artists here, who inspire us to create better works," actress Zhang Ziyi said.

The gala gathers artists from different fields, including film, drama, acrobatics, calligraphy, painting and many others. And all of them have come to share their best wishes for 2014, the year of the horse.

Artists celebrate the Year of the Horse