Henryk Jurkowski (1927 - 2016) - Poland

Polish historian and theoretician of the puppet theatre, theatre critic, playwright and university professor, Henryk Jurkowski was graduated and he was responsible for the puppetry section, as officer in the Polish Ministry of Culture, being professor in the puppetry schools in Poland, in Wroclaw, in Białystok.

He has taught, as a guest professor, in many puppet theatre schools. Amongst his plays for puppets, several ones got great success: Polish Popular Nativity Scene (1969), The Old Polish Trypticon (1972: Judith and Holofernes, The Prodigal Son, The Martyrdom of Saint Dorothy).

Henryk Jurkowski was Secretary General from 1972 to 1980. During his mandate, he restructured the UNIMA, he created a publication (The UNIMA’s Information), as well, he established specialized Commissions. He was co-founder of the Institut International de la Marionnette in Charleville-Mézières; he was Vice president (1980-1984), then President (1984-1992). In 1992, he was made Honorary President of UNIMA.

Author of many books, studies and essays on puppetry published in many languages, Henryk Jurkowski was editor-in-chief from 1994 to 2002 of UNIMA’s World Encyclopedia of Puppetry Arts and scientific councillor for the World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre (1994-1999).

Ferdinand Veike (1924 - 2015) - Estonia

In 1958 Ferdinand Veike was elected the vice president of the Soviet Centre of UNIMA. He held the post until 1984.

In 1980 – 1984 he was the member of the Council of UNIMA.

He has also been the member of the Board of UNIMA Estonia.

On the UNIMA Congress in Rijeka in 2004 Ferdinand Veike was announced an Honorary Member of UNIMA.

He has passed away on August 12, 2015, at the age of 90 years.

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Miguel Arreche (1945 - 2013) - Spain

Former UNIMA Secretary General (2000-2008), Miguel Arreche was a great friend of puppetry world, He gave all within him to serve UNIMA. Amongst many of his achievements ,during his term with former President Margareta Niculescu he managed to bring alive WEPA, the World Encyclopedia of Puppetry Arts and regenerate our organisations destiny with intelligence and rigor. With Idoya Otegui, he was able to fulfill one of his dreams: the creation of the TOPIC, one of the most beautiful puppet center in the world, the result of continuous work and unremitting efforts.

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Mireya Cueto (1922 - 2013) - Mexico

Puppeteer, writer and playwright, recognized as the great ambassador of Mexico in puppetry art, her work for the children’s literature and the promotion of puppet theatre, the development of radio and TV programs for children is recognized in Mexico.
In February 2012, she has received the Medalla Bellas Artes in recognition of her commitment dedicated to the theatre more than 70 years.

Read the tribute published in La Hoja del Titiritero

Brunella Eruli (1943 - 2012) - Italy

Brunella Eruli was the editor of the review PUCK La Marionnette et les autres arts, now published in collaboration with the L’Entretemps publications, since its creation in 1988, when Margareta Niculescu invited her to take up this responsibility.

Brunella Eruli, a specialist in the contemporary and avant-garde theatre of the 20th century, lectured at the University of Sienna (Italy). She greatly contributed to the reintroduction of the arts of puppetry into the history of live theatre, giving them their rightful place and legitimacy.

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Magda Modesto (1926 - 2011) - Brazil

Woman writer, researcher in animation art and historian of puppet theatre, she was a founding member of ABTB-UNIMA Brazil and member of UNIMA. As director of animation, she presents several shows. She gathered a rich collection of folk puppets, organising in the world several important exhibitions. She was a major figure of the brazilian puppet theatre.

Hubert Roman (1937 - 2010) - Belgium

Puppeteer, important actor of theFrenchspeaking section francophone of UNIMA Belgium, Hubert Roman was member of UNIMA Executive Committee during several years.

Dezsö Szilàgyi (1922 - 2010) - Hungary

Director of puppet theatre, playwright and essayist, il managed several UNIMA publications: Figur and Spiel im Puppentheater der Welt (1977), Die Welt des Puppenspiels(1989).

Sirppa Sivori-Asp (1928 - 2006) - Finland

Actress, metteur en scène and artistic director of the Green Apple Puppet Theatre in Helsinki. She was membre of UNIMA since 1972 and president of UNIMA between 1992 and 2000.

Jacques Félix (1923 - 2006) - France

Puppeteer, founder of the “compagnie des Petits Comédiens de Chiffon”, founder of Institut international de la marionnette and École Supérieure Nationale des Arts de la Marionnette (ESNAM), he also founded the World Festival of Puppet Théâtres organized now every two years in Charleville-Mézières. He was UNIMA Secretary general (1980-2000).

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