Wu Hsing-kuo's wife criticizes Ministry of Culture over travel funding; commentator points to budget cuts

Lin Hsiu-wei, wife of Contemporary Legend Theater artistic director Wu Hsing-kuo, has publicly criticized Taiwan's Ministry of Culture, alleging inadequate support for a 25-member performance troupe. The group was invited to perform at the 50th-anniversary celebration of the World Shakespeare Congress in 2026, an event Lin described as a significant honor for Taiwan's arts community.

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Is it really so tight for the Ministry of Culture? A 25-person performance team, including overseas transportation for a million-dollar stage set, only received subsidies for 3 economy class tickets. Is it not worthy of representing Taiwanese culture because it doesn't sing in Taiwanese Hokkien?

Lin stated that officials from the Ministry of Culture's Exchange Division repeatedly refused to meet with her, citing "busy official duties." Despite the team's need to transport a large stage set overseas, the ministry reportedly only subsidized three economy class flight tickets. Lin questioned the ministry's financial capacity, suggesting the lack of support might be linked to the performance not being in the Taiwanese Hokkien language.

Her complaints gained traction online, with netizens expressing solidarity and criticizing the ministry's bureaucratic handling. However, veteran media personality Huang Chih-hsien offered a different perspective, urging critics to first direct their anger towards the legislative caucuses that have allegedly reduced the national budget. Huang argued that these budget cuts are impacting cultural subsidies and funding for various projects.

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If you want to criticize the Ministry of Culture, you should first point the finger at the blue and white camps that cut the budget.

Huang pointed out that many cultural programs and worker salaries are affected by the pending 2026 general budget, which is still under review by the Legislative Yuan. She questioned whether those criticizing the Ministry of Culture were aware of the broader budgetary constraints and the past criticisms leveled by some legislators against those receiving cultural subsidies. Huang suggested that before criticizing the Ministry of Culture, attention should be paid to the legislative bodies responsible for the budget's current stalled status.

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Many cultural subsidies, cultural worker salaries, and national construction funds are affected by the 2026 general budget still awaiting review by the Legislative Yuan. Are related individuals also forgetting how the blue and white camps criticized those who received cultural subsidies in the past?