Launched in 2003 by UNIMA (Union Internationale de la Marionnette – International Puppetry Association), World Puppetry Day was established to promote puppetry as an art form and to bring attention to the cultural significance of puppetry in communities around the world. Since then, the day has been celebrated annually on March 21st.

For organisations such as Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, World Puppetry Day is an opportunity to showcase our work and to connect with other puppeteers and enthusiasts. It is also a time to spread awareness about the importance of puppetry in our cultural landscape and to advocate for its continued funding and support.

Storytelling, performance, and visual art are all combined in the distinctive art form of puppetry. It has the ability to captivate audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and it has been used to convey important messages and stories throughout history.

The theme for this year’s World Puppetry Day is “The Call of the Forest“. This theme celebrates the connection between puppetry and nature. It emphasises the significant role puppetry can play in enlightening audiences about environmental issues and motivating them to take action to safeguard the environment.

On World Puppetry Day, we honour the ingenuity, passion, and commitment of puppeteers around the world, and we recognise the power of puppetry to inspire, educate, and entertain us.