Zigong launches 4th Global Children's Lantern Creativity Solicitation Activity

The fourth Zigong Lantern Global Children's Creativity Solicitation Activity was officially launched on May 29 at the Chinese Lantern World in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan province, inviting children worldwide to contribute creative designs for traditional lantern displays.

The launch ceremony featured an immersive and interactive program, including guest presentations, thematic discussions and new product releases, creating a vibrant platform for young imaginations around the globe.

Unlike previous editions, this year's event brought together former award-winning young artists, representatives from lantern-making enterprises and university professors, who shared their stories of artistic creation, lantern production and the transformation of children's drawings into real-life lantern installations.

Open worldwide to children aged 3 to 12, the competition will accept submissions from June 1 to Sept. 30. Participants can register through the official WeChat account of Zigong Culture and Tourism Development Group or submit their works via the event's official website.

Following a professional review process, selected designs will be transformed into large-scale lantern installations by Zigong's master lantern craftspeople and showcased in the "Creative Lantern Gallery" themed zone at the 33rd Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival, allowing children's ideas to illuminate the city's famous lantern displays.

To expand participation and enhance its global reach, the organizers have upgraded the event's engagement model by launching a dedicated online challenge on Douyin, China's leading short-video platform. The new digital channel is expected to make participation more convenient, particularly for children overseas.

According to the organizers, international submissions have increased steadily over the past three editions, with children from countries including the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan taking part through online channels.

Since its inception, the Global Children's Creativity Solicitation Activity has attracted widespread attention from around the world. The event has received more than 12,000 artworks from youngsters in over 40 countries and regions, serving as an important platform for cultural exchange and the promotion of Zigong's renowned lantern-making tradition.