Meet the Team: Robert Fowler

BrUNIMA Committee Member & Liaison to the Punch and Judy Fellowship

Robert Fowler is a retired translator and passionate puppetry enthusiast with over four decades of dedication to the field. Splitting his time between Paris and the UK, Robert is frequently found travelling across Europe to attend puppetry events, immersing himself in the rich traditions and performances that continue to shape the art form.

Robert’s particular interests lie in traditional puppetry, especially in Southeast Asia (with a focus on Cambodia), the Slavic countries (notably the Czech Republic), and France. His deep appreciation for puppetry history and culture has led him to write extensively on the subject, including contributing an article on Cambodian puppetry to the UNIMA World Encyclopedia of Puppetry Arts. Additionally, from March 1997 to July 2000, Robert edited the British UNIMA Bulletin, a quarterly publication that became an important part of the puppetry community during his tenure.

A recent highlight in Robert’s ongoing exploration of puppetry took him to the Louvre Museum in Paris, where he attended the fascinating Mamluk exhibition. Among the exhibits were two shadow figures, part of a larger collection discovered in Egypt in the early 20th century. While the dating remains uncertain, shadow puppetry was immensely popular during the Mamluk period (mid-13th to early 16th centuries) and across the broader Islamic world. The exhibition also featured a moving shadow panorama, offering a captivating glimpse into the art form’s historical significance.

Photo by Robert Fowler: Louvre Museum in Paris, Mamluk exhibition

Within BrUNIMA, Robert serves as the committee member linked to the Punch and Judy Fellowship (PJF), an organisation dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and appreciation of the Punch and Judy tradition. The Fellowship plays a vital role in supporting performers and ensuring that the legacy of this iconic puppet form endures for future generations.

A lifelong learner and cultural traveller, Robert brings a wealth of knowledge, a global perspective, and a thoughtful voice to the BrUNIMA team.

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