In pictures: Arirang Festival

Thousands of North Koreans have begun a two-month gymnastics and artistic festival to celebrate the birthday of the nation's founder, Kim Il-sung.

The usually secretive country has invited foreign tourists to attend the festivities, although it has sold few tickets.

North Korea, where about half of the population is believed to be malnourished, is desperate for hard currency.

The performance will be held six days a week over the next two months

The first day coincided with the 90th anniversary of the late Kim Il-sung's birth date

It will feature 100,000 performers - North Korea's largest ever performance

Dancers form the Korean Peninsula - the North wants to reunite with the South

Children have been rehearsing since last year

North Korea maintains the world's third largest army, with one million soldiers on duty