Puppetry Symposium 2026: A Living Tradition. A Shared Heritage.

From 13 to 15 November 2026, the international Puppetry Symposium will be held to mark the 10th anniversary of the inscription of Slovak and Czech puppetry on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The three-day event will combine expert discussions, theatre performances and a film screening.

The three-day event, organised by the Slovak Centre of UNIMA, will combine specialist lectures, theatre performances and a film screening. Its aim is to highlight the significance of the puppetry tradition, showcase its contemporary forms and promote international cooperation.

The specialist programme will feature performances by leading figures from the Slovak, Czech and international puppetry scenes, including Juraj Hamar, Ida Hledíková, Marek Bečka, Ewa Tomaszewska, Helena Ferencová, Gejza Dezorz and Martin Dubravay.

The theatre programme will feature the Czech troupe Buchty a loutky (Don Šajn, Punch and Judy), the Hungarian Magamura Alkotóműhely (Faust), the Slovak Marionette Theatre (Johannes Faust), the Concordia Theatre (The Golden Bricklayer), the Š.E.M. Theatre and Ivan Gontka with his barrel organ.

The film programme will feature the documentary *The Last Caravan*, with director Peter Beňovský in attendance.

The symposium is open to both professionals and the general public. We invite all lovers of puppet theatre to an event that bridges tradition and the present day and highlights the significance of our shared cultural heritage.

Dates: 13–15 November 2026
Venue: Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia
Organisers: Slovak Centre of UNIMA and VLNOPLOCHA OZ

Detailed programme:
https://unima.sk/sympozium-2026

Media enquiries and further information:
sekretar.unima@gmail.com

The event has received public funding from the Fund for the Support of the Arts, which is also the project’s main partner.