Kaohsiung Hosts First Taiwan International Children and Youth Carnival Cultural Event

On May 23, 2026, the inaugural Taiwan International Children and Youth Carnival officially opened in Kaohsiung, marking Taiwan's first diverse cultural event centered entirely on children and adolescents. During the opening ceremony, Minister of Culture Li Yuan noted that the concept for this event had been brewing for many years. He expressed hope that through diverse formats such as book exhibitions, theater performances, and film festivals, children and teenagers from different backgrounds could gather and interact in the maritime city of Kaohsiung. Minister Li emphasized that children and youth are key to future cultural heritage, and providing them with a stage for cross-disciplinary experiences helps cultivate creative and tolerant civic awareness.

The curation philosophy of this carnival stems from the "cultural diversity" policy promoted by the Ministry of Culture in recent years. This policy aims to use education as a foundation, combining local and international cultural resources to enhance the cultural participation of the younger generation. In the past, Taiwan's international arts festivals have mostly focused on adult audiences, such as the Taipei Arts Festival or the Kaohsiung Film Festival. This carnival, featuring children and youth as its main subjects, fills a gap in local and international cultural exchange, providing a comprehensive experience ranging from reading and performance to imagery, allowing the younger generation to naturally encounter diverse values through play and learning.

As a major port city in southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung has long been renowned for its openness and diversity. In recent years, the city government has actively pursued a dual-axis development of "maritime culture" and "urban creativity." From the revitalization of the Pier-2 Art Center to the cultural and creative clusters in the Zuoying Old Town area, these initiatives have provided abundant venue resources for the carnival. Kaohsiung's coastline and international shipping background make it an ideal platform for cross-cultural exchange, attracting numerous foreign embassies and cultural groups to participate, with expectations to showcase their respective children's literature, drama, and animation works to promote cultural interaction between Taiwan and the world.

In the book exhibition section, the organizers invited multiple publishers and libraries to set up special zones for children's picture books, adolescent novels, and indigenous language books. Author meet-and-greets and creative workshops were also arranged to encourage children to experience the joy of writing and illustration firsthand. The theater program combines local theater troupes with international touring groups, featuring performances that cover traditional opera, modern stage plays, and interactive drama. This allows the audience to go beyond passive viewing and participate in role-playing, thereby deepening emotional resonance. The film festival focuses on short and feature films centered on children and youth themes, specifically selecting several works themed around environmental protection, gender equality, and diverse family structures. By utilizing the screen to convey contemporary social issues, the festival inspires critical thinking among young audiences.

The hosting of the carnival also has positive effects on Kaohsiung's local economy and society. During the event, it is expected to attract families and school groups from across the country and even internationally, driving demand in related industries such as lodging, dining, and transportation. At the same time, it provides local youth volunteers and internship opportunities, enhancing their practical experience in cultural event planning and execution. More importantly, through cooperation with international cultural institutions, Kaohsiung's urban image will gain exposure in global media, elevating Taiwan's visibility and influence in the field of children's and youth culture.

In summary, the first Taiwan International Children and Youth Carnival is not only a cultural extravaganza, but also an experimental platform where education and creativity intersect. Using Kaohsiung as a stage, it integrates the three artistic forms of books, theater, and film, opening up diverse cultural horizons for children and adolescents while injecting new momentum into the city's cultural development and international image. If held continuously in the future, it is expected to become an important fulcrum for Taiwan's cultural policy, laying the foundation for the new generation to cultivate cross-cultural understanding and innovative capabilities. (Source of facts: Central News Agency)