Six theaters obtained Friday from the Ministry of Culture the label "
National Puppet Centers
" (CNMa), a recognition of this popular art sometimes misunderstood despite its profound transformation in recent decades.
This unprecedented labeling concerns the most famous theater in Paris dedicated to puppetry, Le Mouffetard, but also the Espace Jéliote in Oloron-Sainte-Marie (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), L'Hectare - Territoires Vendômois (Centre-Val de Loire) , the Théâtre de Laval (Pays de la Loire), Le Sablier in Ifs and Dives-sur-Mer (Normandy) and the Théâtre à la Coque in Hennebont (Brittany).
"Raise awareness"
The new CNMa “
will have the mission of supporting creation, in particular the setting up of production workshops and the reinforced reception of companies in residence, to ensure the regular distribution of shows throughout their territory
” and "
to support the new generation of puppeteers
," said a statement from the ministry.
“This new national label will also ensure that actions are taken to raise public awareness of the arts of puppetry and contribute to the professionalization of the sector.”
The Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malak, recalled that the arts of puppetry were
"rich in ancestral traditions, diverse techniques, creations constantly in motion"
, in reference to a thousand-year-old art which has been able to renew itself with many new forms and rubbing shoulders with other disciplines, including digital.
The World Festival of Puppet Theaters takes place every two years in Charleville-Mézières (Ardennes).
