Creation of the Initiative prize, increase in the mobility grant, new applications for the study… Despite the pandemic context, the International Association of Puppet Friendly Cities (AVIAMA) continues to move forward with its projects.
A general assembly held by videoconference
On Saturday September 26, 2020, on the sidelines of the J-365 event of the FMTM Puppet Word festival, 14 member cities of AVIAMA have met in a General Assembly under the chairmanship of Claudine Ledoux. A new format for the meeting: a videoconference, held from the city hall of Charleville-Mézières. 2 pm in France, 7 am in Canada, 11 pm in Japan… Despite the travel difficulties and the time differences, a good trajectory has thus been drawn from Asia to the American continent via Europe.
New town candidates
Two cities were present to attend the GA and presented their candidacy to join the association: the city of Tournefeuille in Occitania (France) and Faenza in Italy. In this context, applications for new members may exceptionally take place in January 2021 during an extraordinary general meeting.
The increased Puppet and Mobility grant
During this GA, AVIAMA reinforced its support for artists. The mobility grant is renewed for the third consecutive year with an increased ceiling. In 2020 and 2019, four projects were supported for an amount of 2,000 euros each. In 2021, the overall grant envelope has been revised upwards to further support the puppetry arts sector.
Creation of an initiative award
2021 will again see the creation of an Initiative Prize currently in preparation. It will reward a particularly innovative achievement carried by a city, a local government, an association or a person and aiming to promote the puppet theater and its actors. The Prize will be launched in September 2021 during an event planned as part of the next edition of the World Puppet Festival in Charleville-Mézières.
Next general meeting for Aviama members: July 30 and 31, 2021 for FIAMS, the international puppet festival in the city of Saguenay in Quebec – Canada.
Follow the Association on its Facebook page @aviamarionnettes and find the agenda of member cities on its website www.aviama.org
