In the first half of 2020, Tainan Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage applied for subsidies granted by the Bureau of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture. Up to the end of September, thirteen projects in the Type B category, for historic sites and buildings, have been approved. In addition to the city government budget of 93,710,000 NTD, and self-funding of 41,650,000 NTD by the site/building owners, Tainan has been granted by the Bureau subsidies worth 146,270,000 NTD. Given that financial resources for such products are limited, it is certainly an honor that Tainan has still received considerable financial support from the Bureau to continue preserving the city’s tangible cultural heritage.
Several projects are listed as having received restoration grants. In the research, restoration and reuse category, Koxinga’s Shrine, and the residence of the Lin family’s third son in Madou are listed. The two projects listed in the restoration design category, are the former Longci District official’s residence, and the office building of Gueiren Credit Union Administration Cooperative. In the restoration project category, Yi Chang School and Chung Sheng Shrine at Tainan Confucius Temple, the main building of the former Tainan Girls’ High School, Yongkang Feiyan New Village Navigation Center, former Kaikosha Clubhouse, the school building and the chapel of the Tainan Theological College and Seminary, and Shih Ding-Mei Old House are all listed. Three other plans have also received subsidies from the Bureau, including “the 2020-2021 potential heritage site reviewing and ranking project,” “the 2020 small-scale restoration project for tangible cultural heritage items in Tainan,” and “the 2020 Tainan City Cultural Heritage Preservation Professional Service Center.”
Private cultural heritage items are also being cared for. The owners of Shih Ding-Mei Old House, the residence of the Lin family’s third son in Madou, the Tainan Theological College and Seminary, and the office building of Gueiren Credit Union Administration Cooperative highly value and cherish these cultural gifts from our ancestors. They approached Tainan Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage on their own initiative, to learn more about cultural heritage preservation, teaming up with the city government to apply for funds from the Bureau. As a result of these dedicated efforts, the city is looking forward to a bright future for these precious cultural treasures.