THANK YOU, UNIMA KOREA!

A Global Celebration of Puppetry

From May 26th to 30th, 2025, in Chuncheon, South Korea, the 24th UNIMA Congress took place — a global celebration of puppetry hosted by UNIMA Centre Korea and the Chuncheon Puppet Festival.

With 182 UNIMA members and councillors in attendance — 127 on-site in Chuncheon and 55 online — representing 57 countries from every continent, the Congress was a remarkable international meeting. Over the course of several defining days, we reaffirmed our values, revitalized our global network, and set a bold course for the future of puppetry art.

 

PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES

Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela.

A total of 140 voting members (including proxy votes) actively participated in shaping the organization’s path forward, electing a new Executive Committee of 18 members and laying the foundations for four years of creative and cultural growth.

 

PARTICIPATION AT GLANCE

• 182 Total Attending
• 57 Countries Represented
• 127 On-site
• 55 Online
• 97 Councillors
• 140 Voting members incl. Proxies

 

LOOKING FORWARD: A NEW CHAPTER

During its 24th Congress in May 2025, UNIMA elected a new Executive Committee to guide the organization’s work over the next four years. The 18 elected members come from across the world and embody a rich diversity of experience, cultures, and artistic perspectives. This election process, conducted through a transparent and secure digital vote was supervised by an independent Elections Committee to ensure fairness and neutrality.

 

Elected Members:

Omar Alvarez (Argentina), Louise Lapointe (Canada), Tang Guoliang (China), Kembly Aguilar (Costa Rica), Erduyn Maza Morgado (Cuba), Jakub Hora (Czech Republic), Clément Peretjatko (France), Annette Dabs-Baucks (Germany), Kata Csató (Hungary), Anurupa Roy (India), Salma Mohseni Ardehali (Iran), Fabrizio Montecchi (Italy), Soro Badrissa (Ivory Coast), Fedelis Kyalo (Kenya), Janni Younge (South Africa), Terence Si Peng Tan (Singapore), Nazlı Miraç Ümit (Turkey), Cariad Astles (United Kingdom)

Key Leadership Positions:

• President: Louise Lapointe (Canada)
• General Secretary: Fabrizio Montecchi (Italy)
• Vice President: Annette Dabs-Baucks (Germany)
• Vice President: Anurupa Roy (India)
• Treasurer: Clément Peretjatko (France)

The new team reflects a balance of gender and global representation:

🟦 Male: 50% (9) – 🟪 Female: 50% (9)

🟥 Africa (3) – 🟩 Asia (4) – 🟪 Eurasia (1) – 🟦 Europe (6) – 🟨 Latin America (3) – ⬛ North America (1)

This moment marks the beginning of a new cycle of cooperation and creative engagement within the UNIMA community.

UNIMA warmly thanks the Elections Committee—chaired by Svetlomira Stoyanova (Bulgaria), with members Beth Bado (Brazil), Roberta Colombo (Italy), Phylemon Odhiambo (Kenya), and Dimas Samodra Rum (Indonesia)—for their discreet and efficient work in guaranteeing the smooth running of this global democratic process.

Another heartfelt thank you goes to the managing president of the Congress, Pierre-Alain-Rolle, who led us safely through the agenda, assisted by Helena Nilsson, Mareike Gaubitz, Hélène Ducharme and Sabrina Baran.

 

NEW UNIMA COMMISSIONS

These 15 Commissions are categorized into three main groups:

Geographical Commissions: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America

Thematic Commissions: Applied Puppetry, Heritage, International Festivals, Professional Training and Research, Publications

Strategic Commissions: Communications, Constitution and Strategy, Futures, Happiness, Humanitas and Cooperation

The focus of these Commissions in the coming years will be on strengthening collaboration across regions and disciplines, supporting innovation in puppetry practices, fostering intercultural dialogue, and promoting inclusion and sustainability within the global puppetry community. Their work will closely follow the shared vision of the newly elected President, Ms. Louise Lapointe, and General Secretary, Mr. Fabrizio Montecchi, as expressed in their program entitled:  “Reinventing Ourselves in a Changing World. A Project for UNIMA.”

This guiding framework invites all members to adapt creatively to global challenges while reaffirming the core values of UNIMA: solidarity, heritage, education, and artistic freedom.

 

PRIORITIES AND COMMISSION WORK FOR 2025-2029

Over the next four years, UNIMA Commissions will focus on strategic and collaborative topics, including:

• Cultural and artistic exchange across regions and disciplines
• Training, education, and knowledge-sharing in puppetry
• Preservation and promotion of heritage and intangible traditions
• Inclusion, diversity, and access in the puppetry field
• Support for young and emerging artists
• Sustainable development and international cooperation
• Documentation, research, and digital archiving
• Advocacy and cultural rights
• Strategic partnerships with global networks (e.g. ASSITEJ, ITI, UNESCO)

 

BRIEF OVERVIEW

This Congress was a collective success, powered by the solidarity of our global community and the dedication of our local and international hosts — UNIMA Korea, the Chuncheon Puppet Festival and UNIMA International.

The Congress welcomed 97 councillors, engaged in inclusive discussion, and supported 15 members through the UNIMA Representation Fund, ensuring that voices from across regions and generations could be present and heard.

On May 27th and 28th, we had the opportunity to hear the reports from the National Centres, Commissions and International Groups — an integral and essential part of UNIMA’s work. These presentations offered valuable insights into the diverse activities, challenges, and achievements of our global network. The sessions served as a reminder of the strength and richness of our organization, built on the dedication and creativity of our members around the world. We were informed and inspired by the breadth of work taking place across continents, highlighting the importance of continued exchange, collaboration, and solidarity.

On May 28th (online) and May 29th (in person), the UNIMA Youth Commission presented Fishing Fresh, a dynamic initiative first conceived at the 2018 UNIMA Council Meeting in Bochum. This platform is dedicated to introducing new ideas, creative opportunities, and collaborative methods in the evolving field of puppetry. The inspiring session, held during the 24th UNIMA Congress, brought together voices from diverse cultures and practices, offering fresh perspectives and imaginative visions for the future of puppet theatre.

During the Congress, UNIMA Councillors also voted on motions presented by members. These motions, included in the official Congress dossier, were discussed and deliberated as part of UNIMA’s democratic decision-making process, helping shape the organization’s direction in the coming years.

We extend heartfelt thanks to our incredible hosts in Chuncheon and to the Republic of Korea, whose warm hospitality and remarkable organization reminded us of the unifying force of art. Thanks to them, the spirit of puppetry was not only celebrated — it was lived!

 

HERITAGE AWARDS & MEMBER OF HONOUR CEREMONY

On the first day of the Congress, Monday, May 26, two important ceremonies were held to celebrate and honor excellence in the puppetry arts: the Heritage Awards and the UNIMA Member of Honor recognitions, together with an Opening Banquet and the Chuncheon Puppet Festival Artmarket.

The 2024/2025 Heritage Awards Ceremony was organized by UNIMA’s Commission of Heritage, Museums, and Documentation Centers (HMDC), under the coordination of Ms. Idoya Otegui. The event recognized 38 individuals and institutions that have made exceptional contributions to the preservation, transmission, and development of puppetry heritage worldwide.

In parallel, the title of Member of Honor—UNIMA’s highest recognition—was awarded to distinguished members for their outstanding contributions to puppetry and their commitment to the mission and values of UNIMA.

A total of 16 new Members of Honor were announced for 2024/2025. In addition, 9 Members of Honor who were originally recognized during the hybrid Congress in 2021 were formally acknowledged and warmly welcomed in person, including Mr. Dadi D. Pudumjee, President of Honor of UNIMA.

Together, these ceremonies offered a powerful moment of gratitude, memory, and celebration, reflecting the diversity and richness of our global puppetry community.

UNIMA MEETS ASSITEJ: A SHARED DIALOG

The Congress also served as a platform for shaping the future of UNIMA by outlining a shared vision for its newly formed Commissions and opening space for collaborative discussions. Mr. Seok-hong Kim, Vice President of ASSITEJ International, presented the work of their organization, highlighting opportunities to meet, exchange ideas, and discover shared values between our two international networks.

 

ADDITIONAL ELECTIONS AND MILESTONES

The election of the Independent Additional Councilors was conducted over the second and third days of the event. The following individuals were elected to serve in this role:

Roberta Colombo (Italy), Susy Catalina López Pérez (Mexico), Livija Kroflin (Croatia), Edin Kmetaš (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Teng Teng Teresa Lam (China), Nastassia Pankratava (Belarus), Dmitri Carter (USA), Pierre-Alain Rolle (Spain), Hinemoa Jones (New Zealand), and Tito Lorefice (Argentina).

Elected Auditing Commission Members:
Lucile Bodson (France), Jodi Thiele (Singapore), and Jacques Trudeau (Canada).

The first official meeting of the newly elected UNIMA Executive Committee took place on Saturday, May 31, marking the start of a new term focused on collaborative leadership and strategic planning for the future of the organization.

 

TWO MAJOR PROJECTS LAUNCHED DURING THE CONGRESS

• UNIMAGAZINE is UNIMA’s new digital and print publication, created to connect members and showcase the richness of global puppetry. With over 40 articles from all continents, the nearly 200-page magazine explores four themes—Origins, Languages, Medium, and Territories—through stories, portraits, and perspectives. Available in English, French, and Spanish, it can be downloaded for free or purchased in print.
• HOW TO UNIMA is a practical guide and outreach tool designed to help new members, Councillors, National Centres, and future leaders better understand and engage with UNIMA. Created by the Youth and Communication and Public Relations Commissions, it explains how UNIMA works, highlights ways to get involved, and encourages active participation—especially among younger generations.

The launch of these initiatives marks the beginning of a new phase in UNIMA’s communication and member support, focused on openness, inclusiveness, and professionalism.

 

📍 UNIMA 100 – NEXT STOP: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

The journey continues! The 25th UNIMA Congress will take place in the historic and artistic heart of Europe — Prague. This gathering holds profound significance, as UNIMA returns to the very city where it was founded in 1929 to celebrate its 100th anniversary. It marks a deeply symbolic full circle — a century of unity, creativity, and cultural dialogue through puppetry. As we honor our shared legacy, we look ahead with renewed purpose to the future of this timeless art.

Thank you to every member, volunteer, and host who made the 24th Congress unforgettable.

We carry forward your voices, your vision, and the spirit of puppetry.