Translated by Ting-Yi Shih
The third Kaohsiung Children’s Art Education Festival was hosted for nine days from August 4th to 12th. It took place across three locations in Datung Elementary School, Shin Shing High School and Kaohsiung Municipal Social Education Center. Through the theme this year, “Dialogue between mountains and sea”, Kaohsiung City Mayor, Chen Chu expressed her expectations to enrich the lives of the young children by teaching them to respect the dynamic art and appreciate artistic performances.
第3屆高雄市兒童藝術教育節8月4日至12日在大東國小、新興高中與社教館等地舉行為期9天的活動，今年的主題是「山與海的對話」，高雄市長陳菊表示，期望能透過藝術交流，教育兒童尊重多元，藉由藝術表演，豐富每個孩子的生命。
As the festival was jointly hosted with Asian Alliance of Theatre for Young Audience for the first time this year, fourteen performing groups from eleven countries were invited to the Kaohsiung Children’s Art Education Festival, including the United States, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Japan to bring wonderful theatre performances and forum discussions.
今年也是高雄兒藝節首度與日本沖繩亞洲兒童藝術節合辦，共有來自保加利亞、美國、瑞士、日本等11個國家的14個專業團隊，帶來精彩的劇場演出及論壇節目。
In the opening ceremony, a large sized whale doll, symbolizing the blend of mountains and sea, was the focus of a unique parade float. As part of the show, there were also a drumming performance, a flag dance and a lion & dragon dance. In addition, Mao Lin Elementary School Choir and Kaohsiung Children’s Choir jointly performed a handful of well-known songs for the audience.
在開幕式中，有象徵山海交融的大偶及充滿巧思的裝扮隊伍帶來踩街活動，還有茄萣國小的戰鼓、旗隊與山獅、海龍等民俗表演，茂林國小合唱團與高雄市兒童合唱團也演唱了「海洋」、「快樂天堂」等多首膾炙人口的歌曲。
Students from Taiwan, Japan and Korea gathered together to perform the finale stage play “RUN” on August 12th. The children living in the redevelopment area, as a result of Typhoon Morakot, also participated in the show at the festival this year. Mayor Chen hoped to continue the cooperation with Asian Alliance Theatre For Young Audience as well as other Asian cities, to strengthen international friendships and create an even broader artistic space for children in Kaohsiung.
兒藝節於8月12日在小港社教館閉幕，台日韓3國的學生在閉幕式中聯合演出亞洲兒童藝術節大戲—「RUN」，特別的是，八八水災高雄重建區的孩子也在此次兒藝節活動演出，陳市長說，希望未來能與「亞洲兒藝聯盟」及亞洲各城市繼續合作，加強友好關係，為高雄兒童創造更寬廣的藝術天空。
During the closing ceremony, Mayor Chen expressed her gratitude by giving a certificate of appreciation to the Quanta Culture & Education Foundation. Chen and Okinawa City Mayor Mitsuko Tohmon invited everyone to join the festival again next year.
陳市長也在閉幕式中親自致贈廣達文教基金會等贊助單位感謝狀，並和出席閉幕式的沖繩市市長東門美津子與大家相約明年再見。
Mayor Tohmon commented that Asian Alliance of Theatre for Young Audience was initiated in 2005 in Okinawa, and has been hosted for eight consecutive years. The goal to help children realize their dreams and hopes was shared by the people of Kaohsiung City. She continued and said that despite the language barrier, this art exchange successfully pulled the two countries closer.
東門市長說，沖繩從2005年開始，連續8年以和平為題舉辦兒藝節，和高雄市實踐兒童希望與夢想的理念一致，因而攜手辦理活動，她說，儘管台日的語言、國度不同，仍能藉由藝術交流，拉近彼此的距離。
In addition to a variety of artistic performances, there were also the widely popular Black Box Theatre, a Chagll exhibition, street art and a photography contest this year for everyone to enjoy.
今年活動除了各項藝術表演，還有廣受歡迎的黑箱劇場，以及廣達游於藝的夏卡爾展、藝術體驗大街、攝影比賽等。
