Chiayi City GovernmentChiayi City Government

Chiayi Ushers in an Era of "AI City" Through All-Age Digital Learning, Championing Cross-Generational Collaboration and Digital Inclusion   Post Date: October 5, 2025 Department of Intelligence Technologies / Tourism and Information Department Technology is no longer confined to screens of code and data—it is now rhythm on stage and emotion in music. On October 4, Chiayi City’s Intelligence Technologies Department held the 2025 exhibition of its “All-Age Digital Learning Program – NO.600 Incubator” at Nice Prince Hotel. Secretary-General Chen Yung-Feng, representing Mayor Huang Min-Hui, joined citizens to celebrate the achievements of the city’s digital learning efforts. The venue was packed and energetic, as performances by the Dreamrunnerz dance crew and the Silver Power Orchestra showcased cross-generational creativity, drawing loud applause from the crowd. Secretary-General Chen noted that Chiayi is a city of stories and transformation. Now in its 15th year, the program is built on three pillars: digital inclusion, technology for active aging, and smart governance. He emphasized that digital inclusion ensures access for all age groups, technology for active aging encourages lifelong learning, and smart governance leverages technology to enhance the city’s competitiveness and quality of life. Director Yang Chang-Chien-Nan of the Intelligence Technologies Department highlighted that over 63,000 participants have joined the program in 15 years, earning it major honors such as the Taiwan Sustainable Action Award in Education and the Taiwan Healthy City Innovation Award. This year marked three “firsts”: launching interdisciplinary AI courses, joining the nationwide “Science 168” festival, and collaborating with the Chiayi Youth Festival. These milestones demonstrate Chiayi’s transition from merely “using technology” to “creating value,” positioning the city as a pioneer in smart urban development. The exhibition resembled a “future city playground” featuring an AI photo booth, smart mixology bar, MBTI × AI career station, and AI Go battles. On stage, AI-driven choreography and music performances sparked enthusiasm, with citizens remarking, “AI understands me better than I do.” CEO Chang Wei-Hsiang of Jintian Cloud Tech noted that the program focuses on “accumulation” and “cross-discipline.” From seniors turning memories into images with AI to youth merging AI with art and education, each experiment adds to Chiayi’s future. Harry, leader of Dreamrunnerz, added: “AI reshapes how we choreograph and perform. It’s not just a tool, but a catalyst for creative evolution.”   When senior musicians composed with AI and young dancers performed AI-powered choreography, the moment revealed not just the fusion of art and technology but also a resonance across generations. The city government stressed that it will continue expanding AI in education, industry, and public services, ensuring digital inclusion becomes a daily reality, and building Chiayi into an innovative, inclusive, and sustainable smart city.    

Light and Shadow Dreamscape Illuminates Beixiang Lake Park, Featuring Performances by Ella Dai and Sam Lee   Post Date: October 4, 2025 Tourism and Information Department   The 2025 Chiayi City Dancing of Light and Shadows Festival dazzled audiences tonight (Oct. 4) as it opened at Beixiang Lake Park. This year’s theme, “Light and Shadow Dreamscape,” draws inspiration from Disney’s classic animation Alice in Wonderland, transforming the park into eight immersive zones. On opening night, visitors were transported to a luminous world of magic, with every corner of the park becoming a picture-perfect attraction. The event featured performances by top illusionists and renowned singers, complemented by a nine-meter-tall Alice installation and a 4.5-meter rotating moon over the lake, together creating a dreamlike spectacle of light and fantasy. The opening gala featured Asia’s highly acclaimed illusionist Wu Guan-Da, whose “Dreamscape Illusion Show” combined laser lighting, projection, and aerial effects to create a spectacular visual journey through a fairytale world. As the magician’s gestures danced in rhythm with beams of light, the mirrored reflections of the moon and Alice installations enhanced the scene’s mystique, drawing continuous applause and amazement from the crowd. Singer Ella Dai ("The Iron Lung Diva") and ballad artist Sam Lee ("The Prince of Love Songs") followed with back-to-back performances. Dai’s powerful vocals intertwined with the light projections like starlight dancing in the night sky, while Lee’s soulful ballads resonated deeply with the audience, reflecting off the shimmering lake and driving the atmosphere to an euphoric peak. Mayor Huang Min-Hui and guests joined visitors by the lakeside, capturing the magical moments of this unforgettable evening. Mayor Huang shared that many residents had already flocked to Beixiang Lake before the official opening. “They told me that the park feels like a fairytale by day and a dreamscape by night,” she said. “I’m delighted to embark on this magical journey with everyone tonight.” Mayor Huang further noted that Beixiang Lake Park has a rich history, listed as one of the “Six Scenic Spots of Zhuluo County” in 1717 and later as part of the “Eight Sights of Zhuluo” during the Qing Dynasty. Since completing the Beixiang Lake Revival Project in 2010, Chiayi City has integrated light art into its Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations through the annual Dancing of Light and Shadows event. Last year’s 16-day exhibition drew 880,000 visitors, and this year’s collaboration with Disney’s Alice in Wonderland has already sparked nationwide discussion. The 16-day festival coincides with both the Mid-Autumn and Double Tenth holidays, featuring popular artists including Claire Kuo, Chou Huei, Queen Wei, Janice Yan, Hsu Fu-Kai, and Ivy Shao, while the closing concert on October 18 will feature Andrew Tan, Rachel Liang, and Zhang Yu-Ning—inviting everyone to spend a magical and memorable holiday in Chiayi City. Tourism and Information Department Director Chang Wan-Fen explained that this year’s eight immersive zones—“Chasing the Light,” “Garden of Illusions,” “Rhythms of Light,” “Mad Tea Party,” “Lunar Reflections,” “Alice in Roses,” “Forest of Smiles,” and “Awakening”—each offer unique interactive experiences. The festival features an all-new lighting design with lasers and projections that envelop visitors in a radiant, fairytale-like atmosphere. The Fantasy Market, set under black-and-white checkered tents, brings together art, design, floral displays, and gourmet cuisine, crafting a realm of imagination and creativity. With 60 stalls offering food trucks, specialty drinks, desserts, handmade crafts, and a giant capsule toy machine, visitors can stroll, shop, and savor the enchantment of this whimsical sensory experience. The 2025 Chiayi City Dancing of Light and Shadows runs daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the Fantasy Market opening at 4 p.m. and hourly light shows from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. To ensure a smooth viewing experience, the venue features three entrances with a one-way circular route (clockwise traffic control). The Tourism and Information Department encourages visitors to use public transportation, including the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle “Guanglin My Chiayi Line” and YouBike 2.0. City buses remain free with electronic cards through December 31. For more details, visit the Chiayi City Government website, “Chiayi Travel” Facebook and Instagram pages, or the official 2025 Dancing of Light and Shadows site at https://travel.chiayi.gov.tw/DancingofLightandShadows2025.  

Laughter, Healing, and Connection: Chiayi Youth Festival Creates a Two-Day Haven for Emotions (Oct. 4–5)   Post Date: October 4, 2025 Intelligence Technologies Department / Tourism and Information Department   “Work is exhausting,” “I’m fine—but barely breathing.” These hidden messages, often confined to message apps, came alive on the city stage this weekend. The fifth annual Chiayi Youth Festival transforms Chiayi City’s Central Plaza this Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 4–5) into a vibrant arena where audiences can sit, lie down, laugh, or cry. Mayor Huang Min-hui took the opportunity on the opening day (the 4th) to join the crowd, inviting everyone to release their worries under the glow of lights and music. Mayor Huang highlighted that this year’s festival—organized by over 200 young creators—marks a shift from “for youth” to “youth-led.” Under the theme “Lend Me Your Planet to Lie Down,” the festival reclaims the word "lying down" not as apathy, but as a gesture of openness—a sign of empathy and connection. Since launching the “Youth Matters” initiative in 2020, Chiayi City has fostered cultural innovation, career development, entrepreneurship, and social action through its Youth Lab, creating a platform for young people to realize their dreams. In late 2024, the city introduced the Urban Resilience Platform, integrating 10 departments and 70 resources into a one-stop support system for youth. This year’s collaboration with local businesses, Huang added, deepens intergenerational dialogue and community connection, making the event a city-wide resonance. Director Yang Chang Chien-nan of the Intelligence Technologies Department noted that the festival’s program is tailored for different generations, with the “Unlocking Workplace Pressure” segment using comedy as therapy. Performer Yi-Tsen’s The Communication Workbook turns workplace silence and awkwardness into punchlines, while comedian Huang Hao-ping channels everyday frustrations into sharp, relatable humor, allowing the audience to find an emotional release through laughter. The family program centers on empathy, with YOYO Channel hosts Pumpkin Brother and Tomato Sister reminding audiences that "even people who smile at work get tired." Parents and children are invited to breathe, clap, and communicate together. Meanwhile, the hit podcast Mark’s Mailbox transforms listeners’ workplace frustrations and unspoken emotions into a collective healing dialogue, gently catching those unspoken feelings. Headlining band Amazing Show (美秀集團) closed the evening with Taiwanese rock anthems that turned personal struggles into cathartic harmony. The city emphasized that this was not merely a concert—it was a space to be heard, where people could sit or lean on one another and let their emotions flow freely. Beyond the stage, the festival also merged technology and emotion. At the “Tech Chiayi, Come and Join +1” showcase on October 4 at the Zhaopin Hotel, visitors experienced AI-powered MBTI tests, AI mixology, photo booths, and psychological games—bridging emotional literacy with digital creativity. This weekend’s Chiayi Youth Festival unfolds through four emotional beats: comedy, family, podcasts, and rock. By giving the stage to the people’s inner feelings, the audience finds courage through laughter and resonance. Because sometimes, smiling doesn’t mean you’re fine—but it means you’re learning how to heal.