News from British UNIMA
BrUNIMA Newsletter – April 2025
Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of the BrUNIMA newsletter – coming to you from our brand-new website! We’re thrilled to have this space to keep you updated on all things UNIMA, including the latest events, news, and opportunities.
As we step into this exciting new chapter, we extend a warm welcome to our new subscribers and team members. A special thank-you goes out to our dedicated volunteers who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this website to life and ensure a seamless transition. Meet our amazing team here: Meet the Team.
Puppetry Highlights & Upcoming Events
The countdown is on! The 24th UNIMA Congress is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see you there. From 26–30 May 2025, Chuncheon, South Korea will welcome puppeteers, artists, and enthusiasts from around the world for a week of exciting performances, hands-on workshops, cultural experiences, and unforgettable moments. Whether you're a seasoned puppetry professional or just curious about the art, this is the event you won’t want to miss!
Find out more: Get ready for the 24th UNIMA Congress
Exploring Climate Action Through Puppetry: THE HERDS & Let the Wildness In
Last week, the BrUNIMA team attended THE HERDS webinar, part of a dynamic global initiative blending public art and climate action. From April to August 2025, life-size puppet animals will journey 20,000km to raise awareness of the climate crisis. The educational programme, Let the Wildness In, offers hands-on learning about ecosystems, sustainability, and the impact of climate change, with resources to craft sustainable animal puppets.
The next Webinar is on 11 April, for more info on this fascinating event: Learn more and get involved.
Moving Parts Arts Newcastle Puppet Festival
Not long now until the eagerly awaited Moving Parts Arts Newcastle Puppet Festival (19–27 April), which promises an unforgettable experience with puppet shows, films, workshops, talks, and outdoor theatre for all ages. Some events are selling out fast—so book now to avoid disappointment!
Find out more and book tickets: Moving Parts Arts
Our friends at Puppet Place recently welcomed Central Bristol MP Carla Denyer, who was accompanied by local councillor Patrick McAllister. They toured the premises, home to 20 incredible artists working in animation for stage and screen—covering everything from socks to robots!
Read more about the visit: Puppet Place
Celebrating One Year of 'What a Puppet Can Do'
This bi-monthly webinar series, launched in 2024, has explored the diverse world of applied puppetry in theory and practice. If you missed any sessions or want to revisit your favourites, you can catch up here: Celebrating a Year of What a Puppet Can Do
Upcoming Webinar: Learning STEM Curriculum Through Puppetry
Join Wendy Passmore-Godfrey on Monday 5th May 2025 for a fascinating webinar exploring how puppetry can be used to teach STEM subjects in creative ways. Discover how the arts can expand STEM into STEAM, making learning more engaging and accessible.
Click here for more information
Register now for full details and to secure your spot on 5th May by clicking here
Puppet Mastery Awaits – Enjoy Upcoming Workshops and Events!
We’re excited to bring you news from our friends at Puppets in Prague, who are offering a fantastic line-up of workshops and events this spring. Whether you're looking to hone your carving skills, celebrate puppetry, or connect with the talented students of
CALL FOR PAPERS: Theatralia Journal of Theatre Studies, 2026/1
BrUNIMA is pleased to highlight a fantastic opportunity for puppetry researchers and practitioners: a call for papers for the 2026/1 issue of Theatralia: Journal of Theatre Studies. This upcoming issue, titled "Puppetry with(out) Classics", will explore the adaptation (or avoidance) of classical works within puppetry.
Abstract submission deadline: 15 April 2025 Full submission deadlines: July & November 2025 Publication: Spring 2026
For full details and submission guidelines: Visit the Call for Papers
__________________________________________________________________________
Festival Passport Scheme & Exclusive BrUNIMA Events
A few months ago, BrUNIMA members enjoyed a fantastic online event hosted by BrUNIMA in collaboration with the International Art Festivals Commission of UNIMA. It featured festival hosts from around the world, offering insight and inspiration to puppetry enthusiasts everywhere. One of the key highlights was the launch of the incredible PASSPORT scheme for festival-goers!
Learn more: Festival Passport Scheme
Celebrating The Puppet Notebook
Did you know that The Puppet Notebook has long been a treasure trove of puppet history, insights, and interviews? We’re taking a moment to celebrate its incredible legacy while continuing to evolve our publications.
Dive into our archives, explore past editions, and send us your suggestions: The Puppet Notebook
Thank You for Being Part of BrUNIMA
We want to take a moment to express our gratitude to each and every one of you. Your support, engagement, and passion for puppetry fuel everything we do.
We look forward to sharing more exciting updates with you soon!
Warm wishes,
The BrUNIMA Team