Puppet Nomad Academy

Project

Inspired by »the nomads of beauty« from the period of European avant-garde, we conceived this Project as some kind of puppet workshops travelling from Armenia, across Belarus, Czech republic, Croatia, Slovenia, and up to Belgium.

The idea is to connect the great masters of puppetry: Aleksej Lelajvski, Marek Bečka, Armen Safarijan - coming from a rich tradition of Eastern- European puppetry – with the masters from Slovenia, Croatia, and Belgium, and also with young puppeteers from all above countries. Our Project found inspiration in the antique and in the old European tradition where masters-teachers practically transferred their »secrets«, their knowledge and skills to students and younger artists.

The first part of the Project consists of a whole series of »master classes« where students will work on the history of puppetry in Armenia and Belarus; on connections with the rest of the European puppet tradition; on dramaturgy of puppet performances, on studying the traditional animation techniques; on puppet and set manufacturing, on performance preparation, and on pedagogic potential. The second part of the project embraces the use of all acquired knowledge in creating performances in different countries.

The final outcome is a nomad puppet academy presenting the results: from performances to small forms. The actors who adopted all puppetry skills organize workshops for the youngest audience.

Objectives

Trans-national Mobility of the people working in culture sector

Artists from different cultural sectors (actors, producers, visual artists, puppeteers, other artists ...), from at least 3 EU, 1 Culture eligible program country and 2 third countries, more than 50 different institutions (not only the ones have signed the agreement of co-operation but other cultural institutions too) from various EU countries will participate in the activities (moreover the people from non-EU countries and others will participate in the proposed activities).

Trans-national circulation of cultural products and works of art

Trans-national circulation of cultural products and works of art will be certainly fulfilled. Different performances directed by various directors, plays / literary works from various authors will be performed (Slovenian, Dutch, Czech Republic, Armenian, Belarus, Croatian, .. different workshops will be organised. So - different arts work-puppets, music, scan, dramaturgy, performances, exhibition, workshops (dance, music, act, literature, puppets …) will be participate in mobility at least across Europe, later also in other countries out of Europe (post-production).

Promoting intercultural dialogue

Intercultural dialogue will take place through exchange and among artists themselves, through different events in various places at east in all countries included in this project. The dialogue will also take place among artists and organizers of events, among members of the Project Team and Art Team, among artists and the media, among executors/artists and the target public (e.g. workshops)….

Innovation and creativity (European Year 2009)

A special focus on creating an environment favourable to creativity and innovation will be put into project activities. The project will be dedicated to the familiarization of foreign artists/managers with the hosting organisation and the local cultural environment, and to the the research for a future project in collaboration with local artists and the hosting organization. At the end of his/her residence, the artist and the cultural manager will propose a project to the hosting organisation.

Financially supported by the European Comission, programme Culture (2007-2013). This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Mini teater is engaged in several European projects, financially supported by the European Comission, programme Culture (2007-2013)