Global Children's Culture Stars Gather in Kaohsiung This September! 2026 Taiwan International Children and Youth Carnival to Host 100+ Events Over Five Days

Global children's culture will converge in Kaohsiung this September! The '2026 Taiwan International Children and Youth Carnival,' organized by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture and co-hosted by the Kaohsiung City Government, will take place from September 23 to 27, 2026, at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center and Xile Times Cinema. For the first time, the event will integrate three major pillars: the Future Generation Book Fair, Young Boom! Theater, and Tiffi Film Festival, offering over 100 lectures, salons, workshops, stage performances, and immersive experiences over five days. Creators from France, Japan, Korea, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Hong Kong, along with Taiwan's top writers, illustrators, directors, musicians, Podcast creators, and tech innovators, will gather in Kaohsiung to create an international cultural extravaganza where children can 'meet the world without leaving home.'

Wang Wen-cui, Director of the Kaohsiung City Government's Bureau of Cultural Affairs, stated that the 2026 Taiwan International Children and Youth Carnival marks a significant milestone in Taiwan's national-level children's cultural policy. By hosting the event in Kaohsiung, the city demonstrates its cultural capacity as a southern international hub and reaffirms its commitment to promoting children's reading, arts, and international exchanges.

Wang highlighted that the carnival will bring creators from around the world to Kaohsiung, allowing children to engage closely with international works while showcasing Taiwan's indigenous myths, Taiwanese literature, and traditional opera to the global stage. The event spans books, comics, films, theater, music, and technology, transforming the children's carnival from a mere book fair into a cultural platform where children can connect with the world, learn about Taiwan, and explore their own identities.

Li Jin-yong, Director of the Kaohsiung Public Library, emphasized that the carnival's defining feature is making reading an interactive experience. From picture books and comics to literature, films, music, AI, and VR, the event is designed to offer entry points into reading for children of all ages. Popular Podcast creators will step out of their studios, while AI and virtual reality will enter the reading space, allowing children to move from 'listening to stories and watching stories' to 'playing with stories and creating stories.'

International stars from France, Japan, Korea, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Hong Kong converge in Kaohsiung to meet the world in one place

The carnival's international lineup is nothing short of stellar. French children's book author Françoise Boucher will share how children's books can help kids understand emotions and communication through humor and creativity. The dynamic duo of Cédric Ramadier and Vincent Bourgeau, known for their picture book creations, will explore how text, images, and interactivity can bring picture books to life.

French comic artists Jonathan Garnier and Amélie Fléchais will blend comics and music in their work 'The Shepherdess Warrior,' delivering a live concert that brings comics off the page and onto the stage.

Japan's lineup is equally impressive, featuring emerging novelist Suzuki Rurika, documentary filmmaker Shibata Shohei, and representatives from Kadokawa Musashino Museum, who will share insights on novel writing, filmmaking, comics, and cross-domain cultural creation. Ishii Aya, representing Japan's 'Rainbow Picture Book House,' will team up with the music group The Worthless to create a story-singing party featuring puppetry, picture books, and songs, offering an immersive experience from publishing and reading to live performances.

Korea will feature picture book creator Kwon Yun-deok, who will share the creative process behind 'Manhee's House,' and Youn Yeo-jun, representing JUJUBE BOOKS, who will discuss how Korean publishing platforms nurture the next generation of creators and readers. Additionally, Hong Kong contemporary artists Wong Chin-hei and Chow Chun-fai will explore Xi Xi's works through art, literature, and cross-media creation. Maria Haiduk, a rising Ukrainian illustrator who won the Bologna Illustration Award at just 19, will make her first visit to Taiwan for this exchange.

Renata Obadálková, Director of Czech Windmill Publishing, and Professor Pavel Drábek will share experiences in Czech publishing, education, and reading promotion, offering international perspectives on nurturing the next generation of readers.

Lin's 30th Anniversary and 'Magic Grandma' debut: Taiwan's golden lineup takes the stage

In addition to international stars, Taiwan's top creators will make a grand appearance. Picture book master Lai Ma will celebrate his 30th year of creation with 'Lai Ma 30,' revisiting his journey from 'The Crying Princess' to 'Elementary School in the Rain,' allowing readers to relive three decades of picture book history.

Director Wang Xiao-di and comic artist Luo Leng will present a pre-release event and signed book event for 'Magic Grandma,' weaving together cross-generational shared memories. Academia Sinica academician Zeng Zhilang will discuss how parent-child reading strengthens children's predictive abilities from the perspectives of neuroscience and cognitive development. Other featured creators include authors Wu Hsiao-le, Lian Yu-han, Li Ping-yao, 'God Teacher' Shen Ya-chi, and 'Music Fairy' Huang Yun-ling, who will engage directly with readers across literature, education, life, and music, showcasing the diversity of Taiwan's children's culture.

Reading isn't just for the eyes—this year's carnival will bring sound and technology into the book fair experience. Popular Podcast creators will for the first time bring their shows live to the carnival, with hosts like Hua Ba of 'Mom and Dad Tell Stories,' Mike and Michael of 'Leverage Thinking,' 'Little Sister Mom' of 'Our Bedtime Stories,' and 'Olive Mom' sharing behind-the-scenes insights into story creation and vocal performances with parent-child audiences.

AI will also be a major theme at this year's carnival. Veteran comic artist Zeng Jian-hua will explore 'Comics, AI, and Future Creativity,' considering how artificial intelligence is transforming the creative process. Scholar Zhang Yao-ren will address 'When AI Can Tell Stories, What Should We Believe?' from the perspectives of information literacy and media literacy, guiding children to think critically about reading in the AI era.

The Kaohsiung City Hall will also host a 'Dementia VR Immersive Experience Workshop,' allowing participants to step into the world of dementia patients through virtual reality, using technology as a bridge to understanding others and extending reading and learning into real life.

Beyond introducing international culture, the carnival will also showcase Taiwan's unique cultural heritage to the world.

Neqou Soqluman (乜寇・索克魯曼), a Bunun writer, will unravel the mysteries of the Golden Tripod Award-winning novel 'The Legend of Donggu Shafei,' revealing Taiwan's deep cultural memories through indigenous myths, shamanic culture, and tribal legends.

Taiwanese literature and language revitalization are also key themes. The event will feature activities such as Sun Yi-lun's 'A Teenager's Journey into Taiwanese Poetry,' Chen Qian-rong's 'From Herbal Pharmacy to Literary Girl,' and Huang Hui-jun (Kada)'s 'The Story of the Monochrome Bird.' Additionally, the Shi Ming Education Foundation's Chairman Huang Min-hong and Wang Wen-hong will deliver a talk in Taiwanese titled 'Chatting About Big and Small Matters in Taiwan,' re-examining the vitality of the Taiwanese language through literature, history, and lived experiences.

The stage will also feature the Yongxing Le Shadow Puppet Theater with interactive shadow puppet experiences, allowing children to explore how traditional art creates magical worlds through white screens, lighting, and shadow puppets, and to feel the exciting collision between Taiwan's traditional culture and the next generation.

The '2026 Taiwan International Children and Youth Carnival' will run from September 23 to 27, 2026, daily from 11:00 to 19:00. Activities will take place at the South and North Halls of the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, outdoor venues, and the Xile Times Cinema. Book fair tickets cost NT$100 for full price and NT$50 for discounted entry, with the full amount redeemable for on-site purchases. Theater and outdoor performances are free to attend, while performances within the book fair venue require a book fair ticket. Film festival ticket prices and registration details for some activities can be found on the official website.

The Kaohsiung Public Library invites parents, teachers, children, and reading enthusiasts from across Taiwan to take advantage of the autumn break in September to visit Kaohsiung. Over five days and 100+ activities, they can open the door to the world for children through a book, a sound, a performance, or a technological experience.