"Korea Focus" Recognized for Its Achievements: Over 30,000 Visitors Across Three Countries
Expanding Overseas Distribution and Joint Productions to Strengthen International Capabilities
Chuncheon Lays the Foundation to Become a Global Hub for Pu
The Chuncheon Puppet Festival has proven Chuncheon’s emergence as a global hub for puppetry by winning the top prize, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award, in the International Cultural Exchange Best Practices Contest.
Chuncheon City received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award for the "2023-2025 Puppet Festival Exchange Korea Focus" promoted by the Chuncheon Puppet Festival Foundation at the "2025 International Cultural Exchange Council" event held on the 26th at the Courtyard Marriott Namdaemun in Seoul. Provided by Chuncheon City
Chuncheon City (Mayor Yuk Donghan) announced that the Chuncheon Puppet Festival Foundation received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award for its "2023-2025 Puppet Festival Exchange Korea Focus" at the "2025 International Cultural Exchange Council" event held on the 26th at the Courtyard Marriott Namdaemun in Seoul. This contest was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange.
The "Korea Focus" program began in Charleville, France in 2023, continued in Turin, Italy in 2024, and will be held in Okinawa, Japan in 2025. It featured Korean puppet performances, traditional puppet exhibitions, hands-on programs, and a UNIMA General Assembly promotional booth, attracting around 30,000 visitors across three countries. These efforts contributed to the overseas distribution of Korean puppetry and the expansion of international networks, and were recognized for their success in promoting the 24th UNIMA General Assembly and the Chuncheon World Puppet Festival.
Notably, at the 2023 event in France, the program received the AVIAMA Initiative Award, demonstrating its competitiveness on the international stage. As a result of these activities, participating troupes were invited to festivals in countries such as Mexico and Canada, broadening their distribution base. The program also established a sustainable international arts cooperation system through joint productions with Japan, Croatia, and others.
A Chuncheon City official stated, "The foundation for Chuncheon to become a global center for puppetry has become even stronger," and added, "We will further strengthen our international network, starting with the 24th UNIMA General Assembly."
Hong Yongmin, Secretary General of the Chuncheon Puppet Festival Foundation, said, "We will continue to expand overseas distribution and joint productions based on the international network established through Korea Focus," and added, "Taking the 24th UNIMA General Assembly as an opportunity, we will further solidify our cooperation system and develop Chuncheon into a world-renowned puppet festival city."
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