Dispute Over Damaged Tainan Temple's Historic Building Listing

TaiwanPlus News

A Tainan temple in need of extensive repair cannot be rebuilt due its listing as a historic building in the city. Despite pledges of financial support from the local government, the temple's management wants to tear down and build again from scratch amid concerns for the safety of worshipers.

Transcript

00:00The Xiajia-dong Qingzhong Temple has stood in its present form since 1967.

00:05Its rich woodwork carved by famed craftsman Xu Hanchun,

00:09a man who at nearly a hundred years old is on the Culture Ministry's list of Taiwan's national living treasures.

00:15And it's this fine work that landed the temple on the southern city of Tainan's list of historic buildings.

00:21For many institutions, this would be an honor.

00:23But some worshippers find it a nuisance as the aging building falls apart.

00:28In the past, it was easy to build.

00:30When the medical staff came, you know, when the flood came,

00:33everyone was on the ground.

00:34Everyone was on the ground.

00:36It's a safety issue.

00:37They put it on the side.

00:39It's important that this building is preserved.

00:47Decorative tiles fall from the roof.

00:49The eaves have warped.

00:51Wooden columns show signs of water damage.

00:53And earthquakes have left hairline cracks in the floor.

00:56The temple worries about visitor safety

00:58and would rather rebuild from scratch as many temples do every so often.

01:14A report by a civil engineer's union backs the idea of tearing down and rebuilding.

01:19But the city has promised financial help,

01:22even pledging to get funds from the central government if needed.

01:26It's a good place to gather works of contemporary artists.

01:31We will assist the temple in dealing with the deterioration of the building.

01:39We will also assist the temple in securing the structure of the building.

01:47I hope we can work together to preserve the cultural heritage of Hobi.

01:53But that's not what the temple management wants to hear.

01:56It's seeking an administrative remedy

01:58and may even launch a protest campaign to get permission to demolish and rebuild

02:03the path it believes is best for its community of worshippers.

02:07Luffy Lee and John Van Triest for Taiwan Plus.

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