From March 4 to 8, 2020, the Festival de Casteliers in Montréal celebrated its 15th anniversary by bringing together more than 15,000 visitors and spectators in eight venues. A large audience of adults and children attended around thirty representations of companies from eight different countries (France, Belgium, Canada, Quebec, Greece, Mexico, Finland, Scotland). Many activities and exhibitions were offered in parallel, showing the dynamism of puppetry in Quebec. AVIAMA, of which the Arrondissement d’Outremont is a member, was present through the exhibition of panels bringing together the visuals of the member cities.
Exceptional birthday party
For its 15th anniversary, the Casteliers festival celebrated the dedication of its founder, Louise Lapointe, artistic director and co-general manager. He also highlighted the exceptional career of André Laliberté, artistic director of the Théâtre de l’Oeil. A tribute was paid to the Chinese shadow theater and the Shanghai puppet theater, forced to cancel its arrival. In solidarity, the recording of their Mulan show hosted by twelve puppeteers was screened in cinematographic conditions.
15th Festival de CASTELIERS in Montréal 
Facets of contemporary puppetry
The dozen shows painted a magnificent portrait of contemporary puppetry, from the most classic to the most fragmented forms. From the warlike tale to the futuristic dystopia passing by the migrant crisis, the programming of the Festival de Casteliers has demonstrated once again the infinite richness and diversity of themes, techniques and mediums of the puppetry arts.
35 foreign programmers
A key meeting point for the profession in Quebec, with meetings, exchanges and collaborations, the Festival also received a delegation of 35 foreign programmers. Throughout the week, the Pavillon Saint-Viateur hosted the OUF! festival off de Casteliers. The 16th edition of the Festival de Casteliers de Montréal will take place from March 3 to 7, 2021.
