Taiwan’s Formosa performing arts troupe was invited to perform in Paris this June. The all-female group specializes in a special genre of opera known as “ge zai xi” – Taiwanese Hokkien Opera – that features traditional Chinese instruments, elaborate make-up and becoming costumes with flowing sleeves. Formosa’s performance at the French arts festival was lauded as “the best form of cultural exchange” by Michael Lu, Taiwan’s top representative to France.