Four hundred years ago, Tainan engaged in vigorous contact during the Age of Exploration, marking Taiwan's entry into globalization. Affected by global historical forces, the city evolved until today. Recently, some cities founded in the Age of Exploration, such as Quebec (2008) and New York (2009), celebrated their 400th anniversary. These youthful cities embody complex immigrant cultures. Unlike older cities with millennia-long histories, these immigrant cities have remained diverse and adaptable.

Contemporary arts have evolved from passive aesthetic objects into vehicles for shifting societal perspectives. In this year's Tainan Arts Festival, themed "Young Dreams," the primary action is to empower diverse creators to interpret history, society, and life actively. The festival opens a shared space for meaningful exchanges. This imaginative creative activity, akin to the global phenomenon of four centuries ago, reflects encounters with unknown others. The notion of "being young" represents a refusal to be confined and forcibly labeled, while "being dreams" symbolizes the pursuit of utopia. Regardless of whether dreams actualize, the creation of self-identity through the power of being young is a struggle for global recognition. Through artistic endeavors, we navigate the past 400 years and point towards the future.

Ultimately, "Young Dreams" manifest as self-directed actions.