CHUNCHEON, South Korea, May 28 (Korea Bizwire) — The 24th UNIMA Congress and Chuncheon Puppet Festival, now underway in the city of Chuncheon, has emerged as a moving celebration of cross-cultural artistry, personal reunions, and the enduring power of community.
At the heart of the festival is Italian master puppet maker Jimmy Davis, a 19-year veteran of the Chuncheon Puppet Festival. Davis returned this year with a special entourage — his daughter and grandchildren, who joined him from Germany to witness the vibrant “Puppet Carnival”, a street parade featuring his handmade giant puppets.
“This parade isn’t just a performance — it’s a living, breathing stage for the whole city,” Davis said, adding that he had long dreamed of sharing the experience with his family.
The festival has also become a touchpoint for international artistic reunions. One such reunion involves the French troupe Demain on change tout, which deepened ties with Korean artists during the “Korea Focus” showcase at the 2024 Charleville-Mézières International Puppet Festival in France.
Their return to Chuncheon this year is a testament to the emotional resonance of those encounters. “Chuncheon embraces human emotion with a warmth and generosity that goes beyond the stage,” said French director Sarah Letouzey.
Spanish troupe CQP Production offered another stirring narrative. In their 2017 debut, they lost all costumes and equipment due to an airline mishap. Faced with the risk of cancellation, the Chuncheon festival team and local volunteers mobilized overnight to reconstruct props and provide care, food, and shelter — transforming disaster into lifelong kinship.
“Chuncheon became more than a festival venue — it felt like home,” recalled director Cristina Garcia Martinez. The group has returned for eight consecutive years and now promotes Chuncheon as a must-visit destination among fellow artists worldwide.
With 104 teams from 21 countries participating in 2025 — nearly 80% of whom are returning artists — the Chuncheon Puppet Festival has grown into a globally respected gathering of puppeteers and storytellers. What sets the event apart, organizers say, is not grand infrastructure but heartfelt hospitality. “The real power of Chuncheon lies in its people,” said festival chair Cho Hyun-san. “Their sincerity draws artists back year after year.”
Chuncheon Mayor Yuk Dong-han echoed this sentiment, calling the event “a festival that transcends culture to leave a lasting imprint on hearts around the world.”
Now in its 37th year, the Chuncheon Puppet Festival will continue through June 1 as part of the broader UNIMA Congress, the leading international network of puppetry artists.
Image credit: Yonhap/photonews@koreabizwire.com
