The Commission Middle East & North Africa was created in 2016 at the 22nd Congress of UNIMA Tolosa, Spain.
Objectives
- To arouse attention and recognition of the puppet in the MENA countries;
- To develop the Art of Puppetry in these countries;
- To provide practical tools for those interested in puppetry;
- To promote the heritage and current realities of the countries in the world;
- To develop UNIMA Centres in the MENA countries;
- To seek funding to support the Commission’s activities.
Proposed actions
- To establish relationships with institutions in these countries;
- To produce a project each year and not one big project presented at the end of term
- To create practical tools to make known and available the puppetry arts and traditions of the MENA region, in particular on the UNIMA website page www.unima.org and on the Commission’s page;
- To create a database for books and publications (bibliography) through the Commission’s page on the UNIMA website;
- To draw up lists that would reveal the realities of these countries;
- To identify and promote historical and scientific studies (principally at universities)
- To manifest special attention among the young/youth about puppetry
- To publish articles and fact sheets (in particular relating to young people)
- To promote vocational training
- To give special attention to women artists
- To launch a reflection on the techniques and dramaturgy for the Arab world
Brief Introduction of members
- Amahjour Rachid, puppet specialist
- Poupak Azimpour, Doctor of Puppets at the University
- Walid Badr, Puppeteer
- Jendubi Habiba, Puppeteer
- Dikla KatzIsrael, Puppeteer
- Keldany Tamara, Puppeteer. Expert and puppet therapy
- Merra Valentina, Young university student specialized in MENA cultures
- Mohab May, Young university student, puppeteer
- Zourgui Mohamed, Cultural animator
