Present at the General Assembly of Puppetry in Rouen on 1 February, the mayor of Dives-sur-Mer, Mr Pierre Mouraret, took part in a round table discussion on “How can a cultural project such as the Sablier contribute to the development of a region?
AVIAMA is pleased to share his testimony here:
« Using the example of RéciDives, one of the oldest puppet festivals in France, I was able to show how the puppet arts have settled in the town of Dives-sur-Mer. Since 1986, the festival has given birth to the CréaM, Regional Centre for Puppetry Arts, then to the Sablier, born of the merger with the Theatre of Ifs, and finally to the Beffroi, a venue for creation and dissemination with a 120-seat auditorium, equipped with offices and a workshop for artists in residence.
The festival’s success is the result of a shared long-term commitment by elected representatives, artists, professionals and public authorities to establish this original and unique art form in Calvados. The experience of the town of Dives with its puppet festival (38th edition this year) has served as a springboard for this development.
Today, Le Sablier has been awarded the National Puppetry Centre label, and the RéciDives festival contributes to the town’s appeal, with four days of cultural excitement and live shows every summer, attracting over 10,000 spectators this year, an exceptional facility serving the puppetry arts and artists in residence who enliven the town all year round.
With its media library, its arthouse cinema, the Belfry, home to Le Sablier and the inter-municipal music school, its rich heritage linked to the history of William the Conqueror, and its Nelson Mandela multi-activity centre, the town of Dives is now a cultural centre for the whole region. »
The creation of our international network in 2012 by the Mayor of Charleville-Mézières and the Mayor of Tolosa was based, among other things, on the premise of development to showcase our cities and regions.
The year 2024 should see the integration of new member cities, which are now knocking at the door. Through the existence here of a Festival, or a Museum, or a major company, activities around the puppet arts are now a reality that they wish to highlight and share with others…
