The presentation of the Initiative Award was also an opportunity to present the Trophy to the 2022 winner, who was unable to attend due to the war in Ukraine.
This year, AVIAMA was able to welcome the General Director of the Alexander Dozhenko Regional Youth Puppet Theatre of Chernihiv, Mr Vitalii Holtsov, who received the trophy intended for the Chernihiv Oblast for its support for puppet theatre in times of war.
During the prize-giving ceremony, Mr Holtsov honoured us with a moving speech about the situation in his country, and the determination of his theatre and Ukrainian puppeteers to continue creating and presenting shows in theatres and on the street, and to keep this art alive for children and families despite the war.
