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Union Internationale de la Marionnette

Non-Governmental Organization affiliated to UNESCO

Directory Sheet

Last updated: 23-06-2022

UNIMA Italy

Date of creation: 1980

Via Pietro Manzi, 2
152  ROME 

+39 06 588 2034 / GSM: +39 339 805 7058

www.unimaitalia.it/

Presentation

Number of members: 217 (updated 2022)

Brief history

Italy has participated in UNIMA International since 1957. Since the foundation of the National Center in 1980 at the Argentina Theater in Rome, UNIMA Italy has gradually expanded its presence in the Italian Puppet Theater, not only as regards the number of members, but also in its own role of promotion and diffusion of puppetry, also regarding the educational and therapeutic action. Today the UNIMA Italy National Center is experiencing a new phase of growth, with more that 200 members including companies and individual artists located in almost all regions of Italy.

Important projects and achievements

In addition to the meetings linked to the obligations of the association, UNIMA Italy tries to actively involve its members with different types of initiatives. In 2020/21 five working groups were formed coordinated by the National Councilors and open to all members, which deal with the discussion and organization of initiatives regarding the themes of artistic creation, training, heritage, international relationships and sustainability. From 2020 all UNIMA Italiy meetings will also take place digitally, to allow wider participation. Each year a cycle of webinar is organized during which the members are called to intervene with their own experiences and visions. Meetings are organized with external guests on the issues of welfare, the measures in force for the live entertainment sector, to promote and raise awareness of the association’s historical heritage. Since 2021, UNIMA Italy has been collaborating with FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano to create puppetry shows during the “Spring Days”, an initiative that undertakes to open historic places normally inaccessible to citizens and tourists. The various projects of the association also include the SEMENZAIO, a support to the production of young and emerging companies. Furthermore, every year UNIMA Italy organizes three days of events to celebrate the World Puppetry Day: every year a different city hosts shows, exhibitions and meetings dedicated to puppetry. In general, UNIMA Italy tries to keep the relationship with its members as active as possible through the presence in the initiatives and in the territories. The board of directors of UNIMA Italy is often a guest of the companies and associated artists on different events. The two annual assemblies are also held in the context of festivals organized by members throughout Italy. Finally, UNIMA Italy has encouraged, over time, publications and research on puppetry, which have become part of the association’s rich archive.

 

Alfonso Cipolla, President (2020 – 2024)

Fabrizio Montecchi, National Secretary (2020 – 2024)

Walter Broggini, Treasurer (2020 – 2024)

Ciro Arancini, Francesca Cecconi, Angela Forti, Marco Lucci, Veronica Olmi, Fabio Scaramucci, National Councillors (2020 – 2024)

Alessandra Amicarelli, Roberta Colombo, Remo Di Filippo, Tonino Murru, International Councilors (2022 – 2026)

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