Founded in 2011 by Lin Chih Wei, FOCA takes its name from Formosa, the historical name of Taiwan. The troupe gained traction with their 2012 production, Pursue Our Dreams, which made its international debut at the Festival Pisteurs d' Etoiles in Obernai, France, in 2013.

Since then, FOCA has continuously performed in festivals across the world, being the first Taiwanese circus company to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and France’s Festival d' Avignon Off. It is also the first Taiwanese company to hold international tours.

Its ongoing tour, organized by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sees the troupe stage its 2016 production, The Heart of Asia, in Indonesia and India. The Heart of Asia was previously performed in 14 cities across North America.

At its first stop in Jakarta on June 27, FOCA showcased an approximately 70-minute performance combining traditional Taiwanese culture with Western influences.

Speaking through an interpreter, artistic director Lee Tsung Hsuan says FOCA’s performance is different from others as it combines theater, music, magic, dance, and acrobatics into one package.

Meanwhile, FOCA founder Lin, who has amassed at least two decades’ worth of experience in performing arts since the age of 10, said that The Heart of Asia is about Taiwan, the country and the culture.

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