UNIMA INTERNATIONAL

World Puppetry Day 2026 Around the World

World Puppetry Day · 21 March 2026 · Worldwide

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As we approach the beginning of spring and mark the greatest date in the puppetry calendar — World Puppetry Day, 21 March 2026 — we want to highlight celebrations taking place around the world. If you happen to be travelling, here are some amazing events not to miss.

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🇮🇹 Italy — Tortona

This year UNIMA Italy has the great pleasure of celebrating World Puppetry Day 2026 in the city of Tortona. Hosted by the Peppino Sarina Association in collaboration with the Walter Broggini Company and the L’Arca di Noè Association, the overall programme runs from 16 to 22 March, with UNIMA Italy events concentrated on 20, 21 and 22 March.

Thanks to the patronage of the Municipality of Tortona, all events take place across several venues within short walking distance of one another — ensuring an accessible and sustainable experience for all guests.

The three days are rich in meetings, cultural visits, exhibition openings, screenings, performances and convivial moments. Highlights include the Semenzaio meeting dedicated to the memory of Paola Bassani, the presentation of the international project Egnatia – Figures travelling between West and East, screenings of documentaries supporting puppeteers in Gaza, and a fundraising evening in collaboration with UNIMA International.

Saturday is largely dedicated to the path toward the States General of Italian Puppet Theatre, including a national questionnaire for sector mapping and working groups for drafting a shared Manifesto. The evening brings the performance Don Quixote by the Bambalina Company (Spain) and the Figurasta — an auction of theatrical objects donated by members to support the UNIMA Italy solidarity fund.

The final day features the General Assembly of UNIMA Italy, the collective animated action L’Arca with artists from Piedmont, and the performance Uno sterminato deserto by Domenico Bernini, closing World Puppetry Day 2026 officially.

📅 16–22 March 2026 | 📍 Tortona, Italy
🔗 All information: unimaitalia.it

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🇨🇺 Cuba — Havana & Matanzas

UNIMA Cuba and ASSITEJ Cuba are joining forces once again to present the 2nd March on Stage Festival, a celebration spanning three landmark dates: 20 March (International Day of Theatre for Children and Young People), 21 March (World Puppetry Day), and 27 March (International Theatre Day). The programme brings theatrical performances to theatres, public squares, and schools across the island.

A special theoretical event on 8 March will honour women creators in theatre for children and young people and in puppet theatre. Workshops connecting theatre school students with national and international professors are also planned throughout the festival period.

A highlight of the programme is the participation of South Korean artist Kyu Mi Ko, special international guest, who will present her show Puppet Fantasy and lead acting workshops in schools and in the community of Central Havana. This was announced by Erduyn Maza Morgado, president of UNIMA Cuba and co-president of the Latin American Commission of UNIMA International.

Also featured within March on Stage is the 16th Matanzas International Puppet Theater Festival (FESTITIM), one of the most important puppet festivals on the island. This edition promises a wide-ranging programme with the participation of several national groups and distinguished international guests.

The overall programme brings together some of the country’s leading puppet and children’s theatre companies, including Teatro de Las Estaciones and Teatro Papalote (Matanzas), Los Cuenteros (Artemisa), Teatro Andante (Granma), Guiñol de Santa Clara (Villa Clara), and Teatro La Proa (Havana), among others. Oral storytellers from across the island will also join in with their own festivals and performances.

📅 March 2026 | 📍 Havana & Matanzas, Cuba
🔗 More information on Facebook

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More events around the world

World Puppetry Day is celebrated on every continent. Here are some more events to explore:

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Source: UNIMA International · www.unima.org