Today is the centenary of Jacques Félix. Born 31st March 1923, Jacques Félix was very involved in the economic and cultural life of the Champagne-Ardennes region. He put into place events and factors that led to the rise of the city of Charleville-Mézières as a specific place in the evolution of an entire art form. In 1961, encouraged by puppeteer professionals, UNIMA, and the citizens of the region, Félix was able to create the Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes (International Puppet Theatre Festival) that would soon become a world famous triennial (and later biennial) event (organised by the Petits Comédiens de Chiffons).

That same year, Jacques Félix also played an active role in the creation of UNIMA-France, THEMAA. In 1981, he created the Institut International de la Marionnnette (IIM; International Institute of Puppetry), and became its president, and in 1987, he established the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts de la Marionnette (ESNAM). He also held the position of General Secretary of UNIMA International for a period of twenty years (1980-2000).

More about him in: https://wepa.unima.org/en/jacques-felix/