Yan Xia Never Sleeps, a nighttime art exhibition hosted by National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), is now celebrating its ninth year! The festival kicked off on May 16 along the Xinle Street Green Corridor in Yancheng. This year's theme is "Bloom Wild" (花轟, Hua Hong). Led by Associate Professor Shih-Hsiang Sung from the NSYSU Interdisciplinary Program of Humanities and Technology, the curatorial team spent nearly a year on field research and community collaboration, expanding the exhibition area to the eastern streets of Yancheng for the first time. The event aims to attract the public into the neighborhood to experience the unique charm of a Yancheng summer night through art installations, parade performances, and market activities.

Stop the Inner Turmoil, Just Bloom Wild! An Emotional Journey in Three Acts

Observing the common emotional repression and internal burnout in modern life, the curatorial team uses blooming flowers as a metaphor, inviting the audience to reconnect with their own emotions. This year's exhibition unfolds through three sub-themes: "Breathing, Spreading, and Symbiosis." The journey begins with the individual's emotional awareness in the act of "Breathing," then explores how emotions "Spread" outward, and finally forms a "Symbiotic" relationship between people and their environment.

Yancheng in Full Bloom! From 8 to 88, All Lighting Up the Summer Night

The opening ceremony began with a rhythmic hula dance performance by members of the Yancheng Senior Citizens' Activity Center, infusing the night with a warm and vibrant start. The official opening ceremony followed, with representatives from the organizers, local schools, and partner organizations jointly participating, symbolizing the official launch of the festival.

Next, a fashion show created by the Costume Design division of NSYSU's Department of Theatre Arts in collaboration with Yancheng Elementary School took the stage. Children wearing creative costumes walked confidently amidst the lights and crowds, adding a lively and colorful atmosphere. With participants ranging from seniors to children, "co-creation" was no longer just a curatorial concept but a real community action happening in Yancheng.

The "Street Parade" that followed became the climax of the evening, bringing together performance groups from local schools and the public to weave through the streets of Yancheng. The parade not only moved along its route but also featured stationary performances on Dayong Street and interacted with local shops on Xinle Street, truly bringing the performances into the fabric of neighborhood life. Accompanied by music, lights, and cheering crowds, the event showcased the accumulated energy between artistic action and the local community.

Discover a New World of Flowers! Explore 15 Installations Through Floral Language

A total of 15 themed art installations were displayed throughout the streets of Yancheng, attracting many visitors to stop, take photos, and interact. The works included creations from students in NSYSU's "Interdisciplinary Innovation Project (I)" course, selected pieces from the "2024 Kaohsiung High School Tech-Art Competition" (supported by the Radiant Education Foundation), and co-created exhibits by the curatorial team with local elementary schools and women's groups. Through light, installations, and interactive forms, the works responded to this year's "Bloom Wild" theme of emotions and the city.

Additionally, the curatorial team launched the "Cheng Hua" digital interactive experience. Visitors could scan QR codes at each exhibit to draw a corresponding flower card with its unique floral language, following different prompts to explore the Yancheng district. This blend of digital interaction and physical installations allowed visitors to discover more of the event's content while viewing the artworks.

Fleur Time Market Debuts, Bringing Star Hotels and Residents Together

Beyond the exhibitions and performances, a special market named "Fleur Time" (花拾間, Hua Shi Jian) also opened on the first evening, featuring a diverse collection of vendors selling creative goods, floral designs, and specialty foods. A "Second-hand Market" co-organized by residents became a highlight, where used items, books, and household goods were brought back into the community for exchange, creating new connections between different generations and residents through sharing and dialogue.

On May 17, the event partnered with local star-rated hotels—Chateau de Chine Hotel Kaohsiung and Fullon Hotel Kaohsiung—to offer exclusive specialty dishes. Through market sales and on-site interactions, they participated in Yan Xia Never Sleeps, demonstrating a spirit of community integration.

Yan Xia Never Sleeps and its series of activities will continue until May 23. In addition to art installations, performances, and the market, a stamp collection activity is also available. Visitors can collect exclusive stickers by exploring the exhibition area and redeem limited-edition souvenirs upon completing designated tasks. The organizers invite everyone to step into Yancheng at night, to reconnect with the city, its people, and their emotions, and to bloom freely with "Bloom Wild" on their own summer night journey.

【Event Information】

Dates: May 16, 2026 (Sat) – May 23, 2026 (Sat)

Location: Yancheng Xinle Street Green Corridor (from Dazhi Rd. to Dacheng St.)

Official LINE: https://lin.ee/SzjCJrh

Official Website: https://yenhsiapuyehchen.com

Digital Experience: https://drawing-flower-fortunes.vercel.app/

Facebook: 鹽夏不夜埕 (Yan Xia Never Sleeps)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dont_sleep_in_yancheng/

• Organizers:

NSYSU USR Project "Yancheng Creative Street Lab"

Higher Education Sprout Project "Creating a Blissful Yancheng through Social Design, Social Curation, and Interdisciplinary Innovation"

Interdisciplinary Program of Humanities and Technology

• Co-organizer: Yancheng District Office

• Partners:

Offices of Yuren, Guangming, Nanduan, and Shadi Village Chiefs

Yancheng Junior High, Yancheng Elementary, Kuang Jung Elementary, Chung Hsiao Elementary Schools

Yang Fan Homemakers' Association

• Advisors:

Center for Social Practice and Development, NSYSU / Ministry of Education Higher Education Sprout Project

• Sponsors:

Radiant Education Foundation

Taiwan Fuhsing Culture & Education Foundation

Chateau de Chine Hotel Kaohsiung

Fullon Hotel Kaohsiung

Southern Taiwan Center for Social and Emotional Learning and Educational Innovation