International Conference on Puppetry Heritage Protection in Critical Situations
KOLK 17 Puppet Theatre & Museum in Lübeck, April 25–26, 2025
Puppetry has a long and rich cultural history, yet its heritage remains under constant threat from disasters such as war, earthquakes, floods, and social upheaval. Recognizing the urgency of preserving this unique art form, the UNIMA Heritage Commission, in collaboration with KOLK 17 Puppet Theatre & Museum, is organizing the international conference “Puppets, a Heritage in Danger? How Can We Face Critical Situations?” This essential gathering will take place on April 25, 2025, in Lübeck, Germany, with a follow-up workshop on emergency planning scheduled for April 26, 2025. This event will highlight key discussions on protecting endangered cultural assets, exploring practical solutions, and fostering a global dialogue on the role of puppetry as an essential part of our cultural identity. The conference will bring together international experts, puppeteers, and cultural preservationists to discuss pressing questions about the protection of puppetry heritage. Notable speakers include:
Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
Start: from 8.45 AM
- Dadi Pudumjee (India)
- Antonia Napp (Germany)
- Pia Gutierrez (Chile)
- Alissa Mello (USA)
- Kathy Foley (USA)
- Liliana Pérez Recio (Cuba/Brazil)
- Eric Deniaud (France/Lebanon)
- Mamby Mawine (Senegal)
- Lorena Comin & Margarida Castellano (Spain)
Date: April 26, 2025
Start: from 9 AM
– Workshop: Emergency planning, prevention, emergency plans, and equipment
A Call to Action
Despite international recognition of cultural heritage preservation, puppetry remains vulnerable. The conference will explore possible solutions, from preventive measures to post-disaster recovery strategies. Discussions will be held in English and French, with translation options available.
The event is open to the public, but registration is required due to limited space. Attendees can register via the link below:
👉 You can register here: https://gstoo.de/kolk17-heritage-conference
The participation fee is:
✅ 25 EUR for the conference
✅ 10 EUR for the workshop (limited to 20 participants)
Join via Zoom
Unfortunately, not everyone can attend on-site, so the conference will be held in a free hybrid format. Below is the Zoom link to join the event:
Zoom Link:
Join the Conference
Conference Program:
Attached, you’ll find the program with all scheduled times (UTC+1), based on the German time zone.
Important Notes:
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Please remember to switch off your video and audio during the conference to ensure smooth proceedings.
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You can ask questions via the chat at any time, and they will be passed on to the speakers during the discussion rounds.
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Subtitles will be provided for all presentations.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at:
📧 museum@kolk17.de
Program KOLK 17 UNIMA Heritage Conference
We look forward to welcoming you to Lübeck for this important conversation on safeguarding our shared puppetry heritage!
I am from West Bengal, India where different types of traditional puppet arts exist. But the practice of traditional puppetry is not able to survive now. Even in the rural cultural fair, their participation become nearer to zero. It’s a big loss for the new generation. We found a small family troupe very recently to give the flavour of our puppet art which is ‘The Puppet Box’. It is flexible to show the puppet story. Thanks to UNIMA for this invitation. It is very important for present World. Our heartiest congratulations to you all.
Thank you.
Avik Bhattacharya
(The Puppet Box), India
Dear Avik Bhattacharya,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us. It’s truly inspiring to hear about “The Puppet Box” and the efforts you’re making to preserve and promote traditional puppetry in West Bengal. The challenges you mentioned, with the decline of traditional puppetry, are felt in many parts of the world, and it’s heartening to see that you are continuing to give this beautiful art form a platform. We at UNIMA share your belief in the importance of safeguarding puppetry for future generations.
We wish you continued success in your mission to keep the magic of puppetry alive. Congratulations on all your efforts!
Best regards,
Goran Zelic
UNIMA Communications
Wishing puppetry colleagues great success in their upcoming conference on Puppets: A Heritage in Danger? A strategy that I think is important to consider is the teaching of puppetry in the schools starting at an early age, Kindergarten through High School. I recommend that the puppetry community partner with the theater and visual arts teachers in exploring ways of developing themes for lessons that promote cultural traditions and how they apply in contemporary society.
Please feel free to visit my website and click “Carol in Action” to see handouts that I have prepared on ways of linking the puppetry arts to educational strategies.
Carol Sterling
Former President of UNIMA-USA
Fulbright Program Specialist in
Educational Puppetry
http://www.carolsterling.net
Wishing puppetry colleagues great success in their upcoming conference on Puppets: A Heritage in Danger? A strategy that I think is important to consider is the teaching of puppetry in the schools starting at an early age, Kindergarten through High School. I recommend that the puppetry community partner with classroom teachers as well as with theater and visual arts teachers in exploring ways of developing themes for lessons that promote cultural traditions and how they apply in contemporary society and relate to the school curriculum.
Please feel free to visit my website and click “Carol in Action” to see handouts that I have prepared on ways of linking the puppetry arts to educational strategies.
Carol Sterling
Former President of UNIMA-USA
Fulbright Program Specialist in
Educational Puppetry
http://www.carolsterling.net