North Korea Mass Game: Photos Show Striking Celebration Of Korean War 'Victory'

North Korea's mass games have returned, and there is truly nothing like them. For five nights a week from now until September 9, thousands of North Koreans will fill Pyongyang's May Day stadium to perform songs, choreographed dances, and gymnastics, according to the Associated Press. As photographer Werner Kranwetvogel describes, 20,000 students will form a living backdrop for the proceedings, flashing colored cards in synchronized patterns to create massive images of war and symbols of patriotism.

The Telegraph reports that in 2007 North Korea's Arirang Mass Games were recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest gymnastics display. This year's games promise to be just as striking, as Pyongyang celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, which is known in the hermit kingdom as "Victory Day."

1. Thousands of North Koreans turn colored cards to create an image of the Unha-3 rocket that North Korea successfully launched in December of 2012 during the opening night of the Arirang mass games at Pyongyang's May Day Stadium, Monday, July 22, 2013. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

2. The May Day stadium is enveloped in a layer of mist after torrential rain in Pyongyang, Monday, July 22, 2013. North Korea has revealed a new rendition of the "Arirang" mass games, the song-and-dance ensemble. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

3. North Korean women jump through hula hoops during the opening night of the "Arirang" mass games performance at Pyongyang's May Day Stadium on Monday, July 22, 2013. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

4. North Korean women dance in front of a display of their country's national flag on Monday, July 22, 2013 in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

5. North Korean girls perform with hoops on Monday, July 22, 2013 in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

6. North Korean dancers perform during the "Arirang" mass games, in Pyongyang, Monday, July 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

7. Performers march during the "Arirang" mass games in Pyongyang, Monday, July 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

8. North Korean performers gather for the finale of their "Arirang" mass games on Monday, July 22, 2013 in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

9. Thousands of North Koreans participate in the "Arirang" mass games in Pyongyang, Monday, July 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

10. North Korean children perform during the "Arirang" mass games on Monday, July 22, 2013 in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

11. North Koreans stand to applaud during the opening night of the "Arirang" mass games performance at Pyongyang's May Day Stadium on Monday, July 22, 2013. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

12. Performers dance in front of portraits of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il, right, in Pyongyang, Monday, July 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)