Also known as the Feria Internacional del Títere de Sevilla, the event is a spectacle for adults as well as children
When it comes to puppets, Punch and Judy shows on Blackpool pier may be one of the first things that spring to mind.
However, the Seville International Puppet Festival is guaranteed to change most people's views of the traditional art form, with performances from some of the best national and international companies in the streets and at a selection of theatres across the city.
Now in its 43rd year, the two-week event takes place from now until May 21, and is a spectacle for both children and adults to enjoy.
Most of the shows are free of charge or just 4 euros a ticket, and there are also be three exhibitions and a training course on Catalan glove puppetry.
Specifically, six international companies will travel from Colombia, Argentina, Peru and France to join 15 national companies from Catalonia, Madrid, Aragón, Valencia, Navarra, Murcia and Andalusia.
The Puppet Fair will be held in different districts of Seville, either in halls of different civic centres or in the street. Shows will also be performed at Teatro Alameda, Alameda de Hércules, Sala La Fundición, Sala Cero, and Centro Cívico Las Sirenas.
And the best puppet theatre companies, selected both for their high artistic and pedagogical level, will showcase the different techniques of this artistic discipline: glove, muppets, rod, shadows, thread, object animation, etc.
Here's a breakdown of what's happening, where and when:
May 12: Chatungla children's 'junk festival', an unexpected safari journey with audience participation brought to life by Murcia-based Teatro Silfo at the Alameda Theatre.
May 13: The fair moves to La Fundición, where the Sevillian company Desguace Teatro will present Pepo y Pepe for audiences aged five to 11.
May 13 and 14: Street performances by the French group Pelele in the Alameda de Hércule.
May 14: Sala Cero will host Rojo, a show by the Jaén-based company La Canela, which gives a twist to the traditional role of the devil and witches.
May 14: Audiences of all ages are invited to La Fundición to enjoy La reina del Arga, staged by Estefanía de Paz Asín from Navarre. This show focuses on the history of circus arts that combines different techniques and artistic languages.
May 15: School performance at the Centro Cívico Su Eminencia by students of Petit Teatro in Málaga.
May 16: School performance at the Centro Cívico Torreblanca by students of Petit Teatro in Málaga
May 18: Performance at Factoría Cultural by the Colombian company Jabrú Teatro de Títeres.
May 19: Performance at the Centro Cívico Bellavista by the Colombian company Jabrú Teatro de Títeres.
May 20 and 21: The multi-award winning El soldadito de plomo (Omar Álvarez Títeres, Argentina), will put on a show recommended for audiences aged 4 and over at La Fundición. This an initiation to poetry for children, while for adults it opens up the possibility of recovering the subtlety of play.
May 20 and 21: Sala Cero will host two performances of 'Con un kilo de harina' (With a kilo of flour), and the Alameda de Hércules will stage Sienta la Cabeza, by the Catalan company of the same name. The latter is a show of artistic hairdressing to the rhythm of an exotic soundtrack that invites the audience to participate in a unique aesthetic transformation and create incredible characters.
Exhibitions from May 10 and 20
Centro Cívico Las Sirenas: The centre will host the exhibition 'Títeres caracartón' - Sculptures in movement - which follows the journey through to the creation of characters and scenographies.
Teatro Alameda: El Grillow Títeres is the title of an exhibition organised by the Asociación Cultural Bomborombillo, from Cabra, Córdoba, that charts the history and trajectory of the company El Grillo that was founded in 1990.
As is the case every year, the Unión Internacional de Marioneta de Andalucía will dress the shop windows of Sevillian businesses with puppets made by different Andalusian companies and artists.
To be listed on the CAMPOSOL TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
To be listed on the CONDADO TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
Guidelines for submitting articles to Camposol Today
Hello, and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event.
Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia, providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area, which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia.
When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today, please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible:
Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com
Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc
Include all relevant points, including:
Who is the organisation running the event?
Where is it happening?
When?
How much does it cost?
Is it necessary to book beforehand, or can people just show up on the day?
…but try not to exceed 300 words
Also attach a photo to illustrate your article, no more than 100kb