Last updated: 08-04-2025

24TH UNIMA CONGRESS,

SOUTH KOREA

26 – 30 MAY 2025, CHUNCHEON, SOUTH KOREA

Welcome to 24th UNIMA Congress in Chuncheon

We are delighted to announce that the 24th UNIMA Congress will take place in Chuncheon, Republic of Korea, in 2025. Chuncheon is a vibrant city renowned for its rich cultural events that span all four seasons, including Asia’s oldest and largest puppet festival, the Chuncheon Puppet Festival. We warmly invite you to experience the natural beauty of Chuncheon, surrounded by majestic mountains and serene rivers, and to immerse yourself in its lively festival spirit. We look forward to welcoming you to Chuncheon! UNIMA Korea

What is the UNIMA Congress?

The UNIMA Congress is the supreme governing body of the Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA). Held every four years, it gathers puppetry professionals, artists, and enthusiasts from around the world. The Congress includes elected Councilors, appointed Representatives, and outgoing Executive Committee members, among others. It sets the strategic direction of UNIMA, approves key reports, modifies statutes, and elects new leadership. This event not only shapes the future of puppetry arts but also fosters international collaboration and cultural exchange. All UNIMA members are welcome to attend and participate in discussions, although voting rights are reserved for elected Councilors and Executive Committee members.

Important Reminder!

To be eligible to vote at the Congress, your National Centre must be current with its annual fees. The deadline for paying fees to UNIMA International is March 31. If your National Centre is having difficulty paying its fees, please contact the General Secretariat at info@unima.org and the Treasurer at treasurer@unima.org for assistance. Voting rights are held by Councilors who are duly accredited to the General Secretariat. The member (and therefore the Councilor) count is based on the previous year (2024 for 2025, etc.). Once the membership fee of your National Center is paid, your members can request their membership card each year on the UNIMA website and offer benefits to other UNIMA members.

Important Deadlines for National Centres!

National Centers must submit: Before August 23rd: The list of their International Councillors (name and email). (contact@unima.org / info@unima.org) Before September 23rd: Information on the candidate(s) they wish to support for candidacy in the Executive Committee 2025-2029. (electionscommittee@unima.org) Before October 23rd: Motions they wish to present to improve the functioning of UNIMA. Important note: Every Member, National Center, and Commission has the right to propose motions. These motions must be sent to the General Secretariat no later than seven months before the Congress/Council date to be included in the Congress/Council Dossier. (contact@unima.org / info@unima.org / statutes@unima.org)

Fund for Physical and Digital Representation

UNIMA is launching a wide-ranging appeal for donations to enable as many international voting Councillors and members as possible to attend the 2025 UNIMA Congress. The organization plans to redistribute the donations received for digital or physical representation based on the total amount received in donations. If you would like to support and donate to this cause, request support, or find out how do we spend your money, please click the “Learn More” or “Expenses” buttons at the bottom of this page for your preferred option. Your contribution will help ensure diverse representation and active participation at this significant event.

How You Can Help and Donate

If you would like to support the representation of Councillors and members at the 2025 Congress, please click the blue UNIMA PayPal button to make a donation. Every contribution, no matter the amount, will make a difference and help us achieve our collective goals.

Thank you for your generosity and support! Together, we can ensure that UNIMA’s voice is heard and that our community remains vibrant and inclusive.

Accommodation Update for UNIMA 2025 Congress

Please be aware of the following regarding hotel reservations:

1.Hotel Bears (Congress venue): All rooms have been reserved by UNIMA Korea, and general bookings are currently unavailable.

2. Nearby Hotels: Most hotels around the venue will open reservations 3 months before the date of the Congress, around February 2025.

3. UNIMA Korea Support: Due to high demand, UNIMA Korea is coordinating with several hotels and will offer booking assistance by the end of September on a first-come, first-served basis through a Google form that people who have registered will receive after payment.

4. Details Coming Soon: We will provide further information on available rooms, prices, and booking procedures via the UNIMA website and newsletter.

For non-hotel accommodations like Airbnb, we recommend arranging those independently, as UNIMA Korea cannot assist at this time.

Thank you for your understanding.

ACCESS PASSES REGISTRATIONS PROGRAM

WHY ATTEND?

The 24th UNIMA Congress is coming to Chuncheon, South Korea, offering a unique celebration of puppetry arts. Scheduled for May 26-30, 2025, this event welcomes participants from across the globe to enjoy performances, workshops, and cultural exchanges. The 37th Chuncheon Puppet Festival, associated with the Congress, will run from May 23 to June 1, 2025.

Experience Brilliant Korean and International Performances

Central to the Congress is the Chuncheon Puppet Festival, Asia’s oldest and largest puppetry festival. Here, attendees will see a variety of performances ranging from traditional Korean puppetry to impressive international shows. It is an opportunity to discover different styles of puppetry and to immerse yourself in the cultural history of this country.

Reservation Guide for Free Tickets for UNIMA Congress Participants

Hands-on Workshops

Participants will join specialized workshops led by Korean and international puppetry experts, designed to share diffèrent techniques and artistic approaches. In 2025, Chuncheon workshops will focus on integrating traditional Korean music with puppetry, offering a special cultural blend. Additionally, workshops will showcase distinctive puppetry from around the world, allowing participants to experience diverse charms and creativity, gaining new inspiration for their work. These workshops aim to gather puppet artists globally to communicate, share, and build lasting connections. Open to everyone, from established artists to the general public, they offer a dive into Korean traditions while strengthening the global puppet theatre community.

Download the Traditional Korean Workshop Brochure

The Puppet Carnival

The Puppet Carnival is the highlight event of the Chuncheon Puppet Festival, occurring exclusively on Sundays during the festival period. It is renowned as the most distinctive and anticipated program of the event, evolving annually to become its flagship attraction. The carnival features diverse programs, including citizen-led performances, a parade with citizens and puppet theaters, and thematic performances by domestic puppeteers and local artists. Approximately 1000 participants, including domestic puppeteers, local artists, and Chuncheon citizens, gather in downtown Chuncheon for a grand parade with puppets along the road to City Hall. During the parade, one side of the road is closed off, providing a unique experience of walking through the heart of Chuncheon. After the parade, everyone convenes at City Hall to enjoy performances in the square, showcasing their prepared acts.

Networking and International Symposium

Participants are invited to the international symposium for puppeteers from around the world, “Borders: The Puppetry Unborders.” This symposium will explore how puppetry crosses all kinds of borders created by humans and society, and discuss the innovation and potential of puppetry that transcends the borders between artistic genres. UNIMA Korea will conduct an open call to gather puppeteers from across the globe. The symposium will be held both online and offline, allowing participants to join from anywhere. Each session will include a Q&A segment, providing opportunities for participants to network with each other. Presentation materials will be available after the symposium.

Explore South Korea Through Tours and a Special Korean Puppet Exhibition

We invite you to a special exhibition, “From Tradition to Modernity: The Evolution of Korean Puppetry”. This exhibition covers the development of Korean puppetry from its origins to the present day, showcasing how puppetry has evolved through the fusion of traditional and modern elements. You will get detailed introductions to various types of puppets, manipulation techniques, and the puppet-making process, including traditional puppet shows like mask plays and “Kkoktu-gaksi” plays. The exhibition will also highlight the development and international expansion of Korean puppetry. Visitors will learn how traditional puppet elements have been integrated into modern works and how Korean puppetry is gaining recognition on the international stage.

Let’s meet in Chuncheon!

Whether you’re passionate about puppetry or curious about its artistic possibilities, the 24th UNIMA Congress promises an unforgettable experience. It’s an opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired in the heart of South Korea’s puppetry scene. Save the date and get ready to explore the world of puppetry in Chuncheon!