Date of creation: 1963
1 Hen St, Bradninch, Exeter EX5 4NR, UK
Exeter
United Kingdom
Presentation
Brief history
British UNIMA started boldly with the 1963 UNIMA Praesidium meeting in London and the first major international puppet festival in the UK, swiftly followed by a second international festival in 1968. Ever since, British UNIMA has worked tirelessly to promote international exchange by supporting foreign companies visiting the UK and British companies touring abroad.
From 1969 to 1976 Jan Bussell served as the international President of UNIMA. Through Puppet Notebook and the John Phillips Memorial Lecture it continues to encourage international dialogue. British UNIMA also contributed extensively to the WEPA and continues to contribute to its translation into English.
Important projects and achievements
As British UNIMA is only one of several puppetry organizations in the UK its area of interest is primarily international. Since 1963 it has been an active member of international UNIMA with several members serving on the UNIMA Executive Committee and many more serving on Commissions and becoming Members of Honour.
During the last twenty years, a new wave of practitioners joined the organization, contributing to the foundation of the joint industry website PuppeteersUK (2000) and the launch of the publication Puppet Notebook (2004). British UNIMA also organizes the annual John Phillips Memorial Lecture, with notable speakers such as John Bell and Didier Plassard.
Contact Person: Cariad Astles, President of UNIMA United Kingdom
