Chuncheon, Gangwon-do Province, through June 1 is a "city of puppetry" through its hosting of two major global events in the field. Shown is a scene from Coco Market at last year's Chuncheon Puppet Festival.

By Jeon Misun 
Photos = Chuncheon City Hall

Chuncheon, Gangwon-do Province, will be a "city of pupperty" over the next 10 days.

The eastern city hosts the 24th UNIMA Congress and Chuncheon World Puppet Festival from May 23 through June 1, putting Chuncheon on the center stage for global puppetry.

Under the theme "Puppetry Beyond Borders," the festival showcases puppetry as an art that transcends the boundaries of generation, culture, language and time to achieve communication, healing and imagination.

Over 1,000 puppeteers and related personnel from more than 60 countries will attend the festival, presenting programs including performances, parades, interactive events, exhibitions, art markets and forums to engage audiences both domestic and international.

Founded in 1929, the France-based UNIMA, puppetry's global governing body, is the world's oldest private organization for the performing arts and an official affiliate of UNESCO. Held every four years and dubbed the "Olympics of puppetry," the congress is rotated among continents.

"This event is an opportunity to introduce Chuncheon's cultural capacity to the world and mark a milestone in redefining the city's cultural identity," Chuncheon Mayor Yook Dong-han said. "By creating a festival with our residents, we aim to take a big step forward to make Chuncheon a global cultural city."

Official poster of the 24th UNIMA Congress and Chuncheon World Puppet Festival

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