Bochum

Bochum is one of Germany’s 20 largest cities, in the Rhineland-Westphalia region, with 365,742 inhabitants, including 40,000 students and a large number of businesses. Bochum is above all a city of culture, with museums, around twenty theatres, a large symphony orchestra and several festivals.

Puppet theatre plays an important role here through the Deutsches Forum für Figurentheater und Puppenspielkunst (DFP) association, whose aim is to promote puppet and object theatre both nationally and internationally. It houses a Documentation Centre with a library, a media library and exhibition rooms. Since 2020, it has been possible to visit the Fritz Wortelmann collection in virtual reality. A project that is unique in Germany.

The association offers a space for reflection and exchange for all students, professionals and amateurs, notably through the publication of the bi-annual journal “Double”, as well as hosting researchers in residence. Every two years, the Fritz Wortelmann Prize is awarded to artists, amateurs and youth theatre clubs.
One of the Association’s most popular events is undoubtedly the FIDENA international festival, founded in 1958 and now one of the leading festivals in the industry. Every two years, it stands out as a barometer of high-level international creation, its development and its evolution. Since 1997, it has been run by Annette Dabs.