Rainbow Village Defaced After City Opts Not to Renew License 疑業者不滿市府不續約 漆抹彩虹眷村牆壁

The company that operates Rainbow Village has been accused of vandalizing the village's murals after the city government decided not to renew it operating license. The Cultural Affairs Bureau says it will press charges against the company, but it will require time to restore the damage. Experts hope the two sides can come to the negotiating table and calmly come up with a solution to save the international attraction.

After the city government decided not to renew its operating license for Rainbow Village and failed to give the operator adequate notice, Rainbow Creative Co. workers allegedly defaced the village's murals with paint. The village was closed for renovations on Aug. 1. Many were saddened by the fate that befell the village.

Tourist: “We don't know what happened. (You don't know what the dispute was over?) That's right.”

Huang Yung-fu, Rainbow Grandpa: “Repairs? (Is that possible?) Yes.”

The city government says all of the buildings and murals are the property of the city and it will press charges against the company. The creator of the murals, "Rainbow Grandpa" Huang Yung-fu, was happy to hear the city's plans to restore the murals. However, the Cultural Affairs Bureau says time and skill are needed to restore the murals and it can't do anything until the intellectual property suit is settled. 

Chen Chia-chun, Director, Cultural Affairs Bureau, Taichung City: “We have to consult with professionals on the finer points and details.”

Huang Cheng-tsung, Associate Professor, Dept. of Tourism, Providence University: “I hope the city government will work with Rainbow Creative Co. to restore this cultural attraction.”

Experts say Rainbow Village is a renowned tourist destination and the company was out of line. They also hope the two sides can come to the negotiating table and come up with a solution to save the village.

彩虹眷村因為認養合約終止，營運廠商彩虹文創公司不滿通知搬遷時間過短，7月30日傍晚，以油漆抹除部分牆壁繪畫，引發各界譁然。8月1日文化局按原定計畫封村整修，遊客對國際級景點淪落至此，感到相當可惜。

遊客：「他就要破壞，我們也不知道是什麼情形，我們不清楚，（不知道什麼糾紛喔) 對啊」

彩虹爺爺黃永阜：「整修 (這樣可以嗎) 可以整修」

台中市府強硬表示，建築物與牆上繪畫都是市府所有，將對業者提告，也會派人清除油漆，努力恢復原樣，繪畫原創者彩虹爺爺黃永阜聽到消息表示贊同。不過文化局對於恢復牆壁繪畫的時間與工法，則說要等彩繪著作權官司判決結果後才能啟動，屆時也會尋求專業人士協助。

台中市文化局長陳佳君回應：「目前我們需要針對後續，再去找專業的人士來做研議跟討論，所以這個部分還需要再做，更比較細緻的處理。」

靜宜大學觀光事業學系副教授黃正聰說：「希望市政府未來跟彩虹文創公司的協商，能盡快的來把這個文化據點做恢復。」

學者認為，彩虹眷村是台中知名景點，文創業者因為與市府對於合約有不同見解，而採取激烈手法，為各界不樂見，希望市府與業者能冷靜協商，將彩虹眷村這個文化據點，恢復往日榮景。