The garden represents an age of innocence envisioned by humans. There is no doubt that an educational institution is a garden. A university is called an ivory tower by some – a place for intellectual pursuit disconnected from the practical concerns of everyday life. In the past three years, the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the mood of the "fortress besieged", followed by a fresh wave of exhilarating and illusory struggle. Even in a garden, young students are physically and mentally restless as they are struggling between the reality full of intense competition and the state of mind with many worries.

During these three years of the pandemic, we have reflected upon the compassion that Lu Xun showed to all beings, understood the infinite and continuous nature of "Prestory", and responded to Tao Xingzhi's philosophy of life power. Every edition of the Youth Art Festival showcases the works of young artists in the city with the expectations of basing artistic creations in reality and comprehending humanity for society's sake. On one hand, in an era where human brains and machine brains simulate each other, and human intelligence competes with artificial intelligence, art has become a "brain garden": pathways diverge, and complexities intertwine, with infinite computing power and boundless creativity... On the other hand, in the post-pandemic era, amidst the turbulence of excessive generation of AIGC, we hope that everyone can nurture their own "brain garden" and summon forth the arrival of spring. Let the flowers of youth thrive and let the creative power of art bloom to its fullest.

We find joy and delight in the leisurely time spent in a garden, but the pursuit of art and the challenges of everyday life can be arduous and continuous. But we believe that we have prepared ourselves well in the era of the pandemic, both in our studies and daily lives.