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Union Internationale de la Marionnette

Non-Governmental Organization affiliated to UNESCO

World Puppetry Day 2025 : Robots, AI and the dream of the puppet? What are the numbers that encode beauty, the encrypted grip that encloses, transforms, transmits, decodes but, somehow, fails to imprison or stifle the soul of this beauty? Not because of technology, but in spite of it, beauty, that spectre, that treasure, circulates unharmed in the new technologies.  (Salman Rushdie, Furie, Part One, 2001)   "Anyone today can claim to be filmed. As we know, the oldest works of art were created to serve a ritual, first magical, then religious. In the age of mechanised reproduction, it is the aura of the work of art that withers away. (Walter Benjamin, 'The Work of Art... Pro-Vocation Roots and Wings - An International Exchange on Puppetry Arts in Africa Presented by Professional Training Commission from the UNIMA, in partnership with The Centre for Humanities Research (CHR)/ University of the Western Cape (UWC)   The Pro-Vocation series are international conferences on puppetry training, organized by UNIMA’s Professional Training Commission since 2015. In November 2024, the UNIMA Professional Training Commission, the Africa Commission, and the UNIMA SA, in partnership with UWC CHR’s Iyatsiba Lab, will present Pro-Vocation: Roots and Wings, the 4th iteration of Pro-Vocation. This event, positioned on the African continent for the first time, is dedicated to exploring and celebrating the living traditions and contemporary innovations of African puppetry pedagogies. It emphasizes the innovative... OPEN CALL - Pendientes de un Hilo: Platform for Emerging Puppetry Creators OPEN CALL FOR PUPPET AND THEATRE OBJECT WORK IN PROGRESS PROJECTS Pendientes de un Hilo festival offers a space for emerging creators to present their projects to international programmers The Pendientes de un Hilo festival is thrilled to present the 6th edition of the Plataforma de Lanzamiento, an exciting opportunity for emerging creators in puppetry and object theatre to present their in-progress ideas to a panel of international experts and programmers specializing in visual theatre. The open call welcomes artistic projects from emerging companies or creators. Submitted pieces must be in development and not yet premiered. Selected creators will have the chance... FLUM & UNIMA Puppetry Collaboratorium: "Let There Be Light" “Let There Be Light” Dates: September 21 (World Peace Day) to 25, 2024 Location: Mostar Puppet Theatre, Bosnia and Herzegovina "Let There Be Light" is a puppetry collaboration that will take place in Bosnia & Herzegovina's Mostar, at the Mostar Puppet Theater, from September 21 to 25, 2024, as part of the FLUM International Puppet Art Festival, in association with UNIMA PC (Puppetry Collaboratorium). This community event, coinciding with International Day of Peace on September 21, will highlight puppetry as a powerful medium for peace and unity. The festival opens on International Day of Peace with a ceremony, featuring speeches by notable figures... Players of the Night: On Contemporary Shadow Theatre with Fabrizio Montecchi Players of the Night: On Contemporary Shadow Theatre with Fabrizio Montecchi Puppet Saturdays Lecture Series September 14, 14:00 CET UNIMA Ukraine and UNIMA Sweden are excited to present the 5th Puppet Saturday Lecture in our series of digital events, curated and facilitated by UNIMA Nordic to foster cross-border collaboration and skill-sharing. Join us as we delve into the art of shadow puppetry with renowned expert Fabrizio Montecchi (Italy). Shadow theatre has undergone a remarkable evolution over the past fifty years, and Fabrizio Montecchi will guide us through this transformative journey. Discover the new concepts and forms of shadow theatre that have emerged from... Reminder: UNIMA Executive Committee Elections – Nominate by September 23rd   SCRIPT OF THE VIDEO REMINDER OF UNIMA ELECTIONS COMMITTEE   https://www.unima.org/en/electionscommittee-2023-27/ Call to Action: UN Summit of the Future!  Dear UNIMA International Community, We’ve received an important request to spread the word about an exciting opportunity related to the upcoming UN Summit of the Future this September in New York City. With so many side and satellite events happening, including performances by puppeteers around the world, this is a unique chance to showcase our art form and raise awareness for global issues. For example, in Bochum, Germany, the Handspring Puppet Company will perform during the Ruhrtriennale, highlighting endangered species and celebrating creativity. There are many such events globally, but not all puppeteers are aware of the opportunities to perform and... Announcement: 24th UNIMA Congress in South Korea 24th UNIMA Congress, South Korea Dates: May 26 – 30, 2025 Location: Chuncheon, South Korea We are excited to announce that the 24th UNIMA Congress will take place in Chuncheon, South Korea from May 26 to 30, 2025. This event is part of a grand Chuncheon Puppet Festival associated with the Congress, running from May 23 to June 1, 2025. Details on access passes, registration, program, and associated expenses are now available. We are also making a broad appeal for donations to support the participation of as many international voting councillors and members as possible at the 2025 UNIMA Congress in Chuncheon. Important... A heartfelt video and message from UNIMA Brazil Dear friends and colleagues, Please find below a link to a video made about the tragedy in southern Brazil. We are continuing our fundraising campaign for humanitarian aid for the artists who lost their spaces, materials and equipment and need all kinds of support. Financial contributions can be made through the paypal account:  contatoaprtb@gmail.com. https://youtu.be/WaPWMwJGJdk?si=2dJYGJIBJ9BN3oUK Video made with financial support from the SOS RS donations campaign, by ABTB - UNIMA Brazil Center. Subtitles in English . Once again, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your solidarity! ABTB - UNIMA Brazil Center   SOS RS - Support Puppeteers of Rio Grande do Sul   All of us at UNIMA are deeply moved by the devastating floods affecting Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with everyone in the impacted communities, particularly our colleagues, friends, and their families during this difficult time. We stand in solidarity with all those affected and are committed to supporting relief and recovery efforts. To facilitate this, we are sharing important donation information: You can contribute either by transferring any amount directly to ABTB UNIMA Brazil's PayPal account: contatoaprtb@gmail.com, or by purchasing one of the two Masterclasses offered by world-renowned artist Nina Vogel, as a creative way... La Hoja Titiritera – May 2024 La Hoja Titiritera – May 2024 Language: Spanish Exciting news! The May 2024 issue of La Hoja Titiritera is been published and is now available in Spanish! Proposed by the UNIMA Three Americas Commission, this magazine offers a comprehensive compilation of puppetry content. Whether you're a devoted puppet enthusiast or simply seeking engaging material, this magazine covers a diverse range of interests. Download your copy now:  Publication/la-hoja-titiritera-may-2024/ Happy reading! UNIMA at 95: Words from UNIMA President Karen Smith 95 Years Young and Going Strong!   As we all know, the Union Internationale de la Marionnette, or UNIMA, was created in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in 1929, with the goal of globally promoting the puppetry arts. May 20 of this year will mark UNIMA’s 95th birthday! This is yet another wonderful opportunity to celebrate our amazing organization.   We are all proud to be members of the oldest international theatre organization in the world. What, we might ask, has ensured UNIMA’s longevity and endurance, in spite of a devastating world war and seemingly never-ending regional conflict? Of course, it’s the puppets! It’s our shared... Celebrate UNIMA's 95th Anniversary at the JEM Festival 2024 Join us on May 20th from 10:00 AM to 12:45 PM CET at the Théâtre Royal du Peruchet in Brussels or online from anywhere in the world for the "Roundtable on the Culture of Peace," marking the 95th anniversary of UNIMA International. The meeting will be conducted in English. The event will begin with opening remarks from Mr. Dimitri Jageneau, Director and Owner of Théâtre Royal du Peruchet and General Secretary of UNIMA International, followed by a keynote address from Mr. Nick Newland, President of the UNESCO NGO Liaison Committee. A special message from Madam Karen Smith, President of UNIMA... UNIMA YC Open session: AI&Puppetry, Vol 1. Genie from the Lamp.  Merriam Webster Dictionary named ‘Authenticity’ the word of the 2023 year in response to concerns over AI’s rapid development. There is a lot of talk around the role and potential impact of AI in our lives now and in the future. The question is, of course, particularly acute in the field of art. How do puppeteers feel about it? Inspired? Annoyed at all the hype? Frightened? Are there any interesting cases of using  AI in puppetry already in the world? Could AI be considered a new generation of puppets? Should UNIMA join the general discussion about the new copyright... Happy World Puppetry Day - Let There be Light! UNIMA PUPPET THATRE CINEMA - We are thrilled to announce that the World Puppetry Day 2024 marks the inception of a new initiative from the  Cooperation and Humanitas Commissions. In celebration of this year's most anticipated day, March 21st, we are embracing the  spirit of compassion and solidarity by introducing a new way to contribute to the UNIMA Emergency Aid Fund. Inspired by UNIMA members Mr. Edin Kmetas, CEO of Bosnian PLM - Mostar Puppet Theatre, Ms. Jelena Stojanovic Patrnogic, CEO of Serbian PDM - Theatre for Children and Youth Kragujevac, and Ms. Magdalena Lupi Alvir, CEO of Croatian GKL... Message of World Puppetry Day 2024 by Ines Pasic "Greetings on behalf of UNIMA worldwide to all puppeteers for the World Puppetry Day.   For my dear colleagues, walkers of the shared dream, interpreters of the timeless actuality...   We are people who exercise one of the humblest professions. The paradox is that, despite this, we converse, debate, and rage with the divine world with the intimacy and frankness of an old married couple.   Every time a wooden head comes to life in our hands or strings of a puppet reaffirm the connection between all living things, we rediscover ourselves as protagonists of the story represented.  Every time an animated object reveals the... UNIMA Internationale Executive Committee 2024 Hybrid Meeting during Casteliers Festival in Montreal We are pleased to announce that the Casteliers festival in Montreal, scheduled from March 6 to 10, will be the distinguished host for the UNIMA Internationale Executive Committee 2024 hybrid meeting on March 5 and 6. Details: Event: Casteliers Festival and UNIMA Internationale Executive Committee Meeting Date: March 5-6, 2024 Location: Montreal, Canada Key Points: The morning sessions of the UNIMA meeting are open to all International Councilors as observers. Registration is mandatory for participation. Kindly register by sending an email to info@unima.org and contact@unima.org. We look forward to your active participation. Thank you for your attention! WHAT A PUPPET CAN DO – APPLIED PUPPETRY IN THEORY AND PRACTICE A series of webinars by the Education, Development and Therapy Commission News for 2024:  A series of webinars on Zoom “What a Puppet Can Do – applied puppetry in theory and practice", starts on February 26th. Organised by the UNIMA Education, Development and Therapy Commission, the series will feature online lectures, workshops, exchange of ideas, and examples of good practice in all three fields: education, development and therapy. A number of themes are already being considered: the benefits of using puppets in education, specific means of expression in puppetry, the development of a scientific/theoretical basis for therapeutic puppetry, social and emotional... Message from UNIMA Dear Members and Friends of UNIMA, Our profound sympathies go out to all those impacted by current global conflicts, violence and grief, and we express our unwavering support for all artists and individuals enduring suffering. Our earlier statement was written to affirm our commitment to supporting all puppeteers and to the promotion of peace, culture and understanding. We apologise for any hurt or misunderstanding caused by our words. Art is a way of expressing our humanity and of bringing people together, to share our common goals, concerns, sorrows, hopes and visions. We recognise that words alone are insufficient and that many in our... UNIMA Puppetry Collaboratorium: Fostering Peace and Understanding through Puppetry Above: Closing ceremony of the FLUM Festival and UNIMA PC in Mostar, 2023 Introduction In a world often marked by division and conflict, the art of puppetry has long served as a powerful medium for conveying messages of peace, unity, and mutual understanding. This sentiment was beautifully captured in the recent launch of the UNIMA Puppetry Collaboratorium (UNIMA PC) during the FLUM - The Puppet Art Festival in Mostar from September 25th to 29th, 2023. Initiated by the Irish UNIMA and Croatian UNIMA Centres, this initiative aims to unite transcontinental UNIMA Centres for collaborative efforts that elevate UNIMA's mission of promoting... Trauma and Puppetry Handout This compact document from the EDT Commission combines basic information about an emergency reaction to trauma combined with aspects of basic puppetry. It will give practical advice and be an inspiring introduction for puppeteers, helpers, educators, therapists and everybody who is touched by the great possibilities of puppetry. There are versions in different languages. Feel free to share. . Download the document : In English > Traumatic emergency reaction and puppetry In French / en français > Réaction d’urgence traumatique et jeu de marionnettes In German / auf Deutsch > Akute traumatische Notfallreaktion und Puppenspiel In Spanish / En español > Titeres...

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Dear Members and Friends of UNIMA, Our profound sympathies go out to all those impacted by current global conflicts, violence…

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