Hsinchu City licenses 50 street performers

2014-11-13

A total of 50 street entertainers were licensed Nov. 9 in northern Taiwan’s Hsinchu City, spotlighting local government efforts to better regulate a growth sector of the performing arts.

Divided into performance, visual and other cultural arts, the performers were selected from 111 applicants. They each received a work permit, enabling them to legally ply their trade for two years in 10 designated locations. These include Hsinchu Park and the outdoor plazas of Confucius Temple and Image Museum.

“Busking is a performing art gaining prominence worldwide that adds colors to the streets of Hsinchu,” an official with the local government said. “It is important to regulate the industry and ensure the artists play a part in promoting the city and its culture.”

Although all of the artists are deserving of their licenses, two are particularly praiseworthy for their efforts to overcome health and physical challenges.

Wire artist Huang Ming-wei was forced to leave full-time employment 10 years ago as a result of health issues caused by a serious car accident. His talent for quickly creating objects such as dinosaurs, insects and motorcycles from wire soon transformed from a hobby into an enthralling entertainment experience.

Balloon artist Tsui Yun-sheng, formerly a member of a sheltered workshop for the disabled in Miaoli County, turned related skills learned at a workshop into an in-demand repertoire of latex air creations like frogs, poodles and tropical fish.

“All of this year’s licensed street entertainers will enhance Hsinchu’s cultural landscape and encourage others to appreciate diverse forms of performing art,” the official said. “We will offer them every assistance in helping them shine in their respective fields.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=223918&CtNode=413)