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 International, will also grace the occasion, sharing her insights and vision as our organization nears its centennial.

Event Highlight:

2024 Members of Honor Announcement: The session will also feature the official announcement of the 2024 UNIMA Members of Honor by Madam Lucile Bodson from the board of UNIMA International.

The roundtable will host an array of esteemed speakers from around the globe, affirming UNIMA’s global impact and its mission to foster peace through the art of puppetry.

Guests include Madam Nina Malikova, an Emeritus Professor from the Czech Republic; Mr. Husam Abed, a noted Palestinian-Jordanian artist and researcher; Madam Daria Ivanova, President of UNIMA Ukraine. Works at Kyiv National I.K. Karpenko-Kary University of Theatre, Cinema and Television, Heinrich Heine University (Düsseldorf); Madam Cariad Astles, Professor at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, President of the Research Commission, and Vice-President of UNIMA International; Mr. Fedelis Kyalo, representing UNIMA Kenya and the Vice President of the UNIMA Africa Commission; and Madam Svetlomira Stoyanova, President of the UNIMA 2024/2025 Elections Committee from Bulgaria, who will moderate the event.

Additional presentations will be made by prominent leaders from the puppetry world, including Mr. Edin Kmetas from Puppet Theatre Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Madam Magdalena Lupi Alvir from Rijeka City Puppet Theatre in Croatia, Madam Jelena Stojanovic Patrnogic from Theatre for Children and Youth Kragujevac in Serbia, and Madam Claudia Lamantea from Irish UNIMA, representing the UNIMA Puppetry Collaboratorium in Mostar 2023. The Nordic countries will be represented by Madam Agneta Attling, a performing arts producer from Sweden; Madam Tiina Suhonen, CEO of Pisto Puppets in Norway; and Madam Greta Clough, Director and Creative Producer at Handbendi in Iceland.

As part of the event, we will showcase “Walking Man” by Madam Ko Kyumi from South Korea, a mini-puppetry performance that explores shared histories and futures through puppetry arts.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with leaders in the puppetry community and celebrate UNIMA’s longstanding commitment to promoting peace and understanding through the arts.