By creating, in 2021, an International Award for Initiative in the field of Puppetry, the Member Cities of the AVIAMA wanted to reward on an international scale those who, through innovative action, contribute to highlighting the puppetry arts, to defending their development and to encouraging their recognition by a wide audience.
This year, it is intended to highlight a person, an artist or an association whose commitment to puppet theatre helps to advance the recognition of this discipline, to share it with as many people as possible or quite simply to put a special spotlight on this art that unites all the members of the AVIAMA…
This announcement was made by Claudine Ledoux, President of AVIAMA, during the 22nd edition of the Festival Mondial du Théâtre de Marionnettes de Charleville-Mézières.
The 2023 Winners : ○ The Chuncheon Puppet Foundation for organising the Cocobau Festival in the City, which has just celebrated its 35th anniversary. This festival has given an exceptional boost to the national and international visibility of this art form, its heritage aspect with a museum to be renovated in 2022 and now a regular professional training activity (South Korea).
○ A citizen puppet, the OTHER: a presence that embodies the raison d’être of our art and its ability to create links in Saguenay and elsewhere – Creation of the Compagnie La Tortue Noire (Quebec – Canada).
International recognition This Prize, in the form of an official Diploma, may be supplemented by financial aid if development is envisaged. Distributed by AVIAMA through its network of 21 cities on 4 continents, this Prize is a lever for the winners, giving them additional visibility with a wider professional network. It is awarded by an International Jury, appointed for three years and then renewed, which examines the applications submitted by the Association’s Member Cities.
Composition of the International Jury The International Jury was chaired by Mr YOOK DONG HAN, Mayor of Chuncheon (South Korea) and comprised Ms Julie DUFOUR, Mayor of Saguenay (Quebec – Canada), Luk de BRUYKER (City of Ghent – Belgium), Stanislas DOUBRAVA (City of Liberec – Czech Republic), Dadi PUDUMJEE (Honorary President of UNIMA – India).
