Puppetry Without Borders
BrUNIMA joins the celebration of the 24th UNIMA Congress in South Korea — and the beginning of a bold new chapter in global puppetry.
From lakeside streets in Chuncheon to online rooms buzzing across continents, something magical happened in May 2025 — puppeteers from 57 countries came together for the 24th UNIMA World Congress, hosted by UNIMA Korea. It was more than a meeting. It was a movement.
New leadership was elected. Global commissions were reimagined. Powerful projects launched. The future of puppetry, as seen from this Congress, is inclusive, inventive, and alive with purpose.
And BrUNIMA was there — proud to be part of the conversation, the decisions, and the global family of UNIMA.
Thank You, UNIMA Korea!
A Global Celebration of Puppetry and a New Chapter for UNIMA
From May 26–30, 2025, the world of puppetry gathered in Chuncheon, South Korea for the 24th UNIMA Congress — a vibrant meeting of cultures, creativity, and commitment to the art of puppetry. Hosted by UNIMA Korea in partnership with the Chuncheon Puppet Festival, the Congress brought together 182 participants from 57 countries, on-site and online, for an unforgettable exchange of ideas and inspiration.
It was more than a congress. It was a reaffirmation of what UNIMA stands for — connection, diversity, and the transformative power of puppetry in a changing world.
🌐 Global Participation, Local Welcome
The Congress welcomed a truly global delegation: artists, leaders, and visionaries from every continent. From Burundi to Brazil, from Mongolia to Mexico, puppeteers and representatives came together to shape the future of UNIMA.
57 countries represented
182 total participants
140 voting members (including proxy votes)
127 on-site in Chuncheon, 55 joining online
This gathering marked a powerful hybrid format, uniting physical and digital presence for a shared mission.
🧭 Looking Ahead: New Leadership, New Vision
A major highlight of the Congress was the election of a new Executive Committee: 18 members from around the world were chosen to guide UNIMA over the next four years. With gender parity and wide geographic diversity, this new team reflects the global character of UNIMA.
Key Leadership Positions
President: Louise Lapointe (Canada)
General Secretary: Fabrizio Montecchi (Italy)
Vice Presidents: Annette Dabs-Baucks (Germany), Anurupa Roy (India)
Treasurer: Clément Peretjatko (France)
This leadership will steer a bold and inclusive vision titled:
“Reinventing Ourselves in a Changing World. A Project for UNIMA.”
🛠️ Commissions Reimagined: Strategic, Thematic, Global
Fifteen UNIMA Commissions were confirmed, with renewed focus and grouped into:
Geographical (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America)
Thematic (Applied Puppetry, Heritage, Training & Research, Festivals, Publications)
Strategic (Futures, Happiness, Communications, Constitution, Humanities & Cooperation)
Each Commission will address key priorities from inclusion and youth engagement to sustainability and digital archiving — ensuring puppetry remains dynamic, accessible, and future-facing.
📚 New Tools for Connection & Understanding
Two major initiatives launched during the Congress:
UNIMAGAZINE
A 200-page multilingual publication (English, French, Spanish) with over 40 global contributions, exploring puppetry across Origins, Languages, Medium, and Territories.HOW TO UNIMA
A practical, illustrated guide created for members, newcomers, and emerging leaders. It demystifies UNIMA’s structure and offers entry points for participation and leadership — especially aimed at younger voices.
🎉 Next Stop: UNIMA 100 in Prague
As we close this vibrant chapter in Korea, we look ahead with excitement to Prague, Czech Republic in 2029, for UNIMA’s centenary celebration. It will be a historic return to the birthplace of UNIMA, a symbolic full-circle moment to honour a century of shared culture, resilience, and artistry.
💬 Thank You, UNIMA Korea!
To every participant, organizer, volunteer, and host — your generosity, spirit, and creativity shaped a Congress that will echo for years to come. We carry your voices forward into the next century of puppetry.
📩 Stay connected
📧 contact@unima.org | info@unima.org
▶️ Watch highlights on UNIMA YouTube