Starting from simple lines and shapes, children set off on a boundless journey of imagination! The Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government is hosting the “34th National Children’s Associative Drawing Contest” under the theme “An Imaginary Journey of the Smiling Earth”. As a lead-up promotional event, “Forest of Light - Children’s Co-Creation Art Action” was held at Taichung City Huludun Cultural Center, where 30 students from art classes and new resident families freely created on large transparent canvases. Together, they built an imaginative art forest, allowing children to see the world through creativity and tell stories with color.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government said the “National Children’s Associative Drawing Contest” has long promoted children’s art education. Each year, more than 500,000 sheets of drawing paper are sent to elementary schools across Taiwan and on offshore islands, giving more children the chance to create. Round-trip airfare subsidies are also provided for offshore island students selected for the final round, reducing geographic barriers and putting cultural equity into practice. This year’s main visual, “An Imaginary Journey of the Smiling Earth”, begins with a smiling Earth and incorporates elements of land and marine animals and plants from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It guides children to care about environmental issues through art and express their gentle concern for the planet.

Taichung City Huludun Cultural Center said this year’s drawing prompt is inspired by “water veins”, encouraging children to connect the flow of water with the natural cycles of oceans, rivers, rain, and the growth of all living things, and to imagine rich and diverse ecological worlds. Through co-creation, children connect with a sense of care and responsibility for nature and life. As light, viewing angles, and the positions of the works change, the images create layered perspectives and spatial shifts, forming a richly layered visual landscape. Through co-creation, children connect with a sense of care and responsibility for nature and life.

Now in its 34th year, the “National Children’s Associative Drawing Contest” continues to create a stage for students across Taiwan to freely express their creativity. The contest is not just about drawing,it is an imagination game that begins with “association”, allowing children to turn ordinary lines into fantastic worlds. Submissions for the preliminary round are open from now until October 8. Students across Taiwan are invited to activate their “power of association”, starting from a single shape and a single drop of water to draw their own “smiling Earth”.