FIMP or a different means of artistic and cultural expression in Porto

The 2019 edition of FIMP- Porto International Puppet Festival- is special; first, it's FIMP's 30th anniversary (not easy in the art world); secondly, it brings along tabletop philosophers, bunraku genre, minibus on stage and loads of humour! Join us on this special edition, from 11th to 20th October, in several venues across Porto, namely Porto Municipal Theatre - Rivoli and Campo Alegre, National Theatre São João, Theatre Helena Sá e Costa and Palácio do Bolhão.

FIMP- Porto International Puppet Show sets the standard internationally when it comes to the puppet art world and this edition features a programme of 16 performances, one concert, two workshops, a festival own intellectual creation jointly with Balleteatro, in a total of 37 presentations.

The Table, by The Blind Summit Theatre premieres at Campo Alegre Theatre, on 11th and 12th October. The play takes inspiration from Beckett, Ikea and the Bible. The main player is a "tabletop philosopher" and it sets the tone for the entire festival: the combining of tradition and contemporary and hybrid languages in today's Puppet Theatre.

The British Blind Summit Theatre will convey an adaptation of the Japanese bunraku technique and tradition.

In addition, Alma Nómada, on show at Carlos Albert Theatre, on 19th and 20th October, is another show "able to reach to a wider audience during the festival", asserts FIMP's director, Igor Gandra.

The combination of illustration, animated cinema, masks and marionettes by artist Magali Chouinard, sets up a sensory and dreamlike fable, starting from Julio Verne's Centre of the Earth, through the adventure of a woman's visual innerness.

On 18th and 19th October, the Campo Alegre Theatre presents "Don't we deserve grand human projects that give us meaning?"

Definitely, we say. So, if you are looking for a total way of experiencing puppet theatre, look no further. Robbert&Frank Frank&Robbert will not be found wanting.

We are also anxiously waiting for the Solace performance, by German puppeteer Uta Gebert, on 12th October, at Rivoli. The main player is neither a boy nor a girl. Just go see and find out!

It is worth mentioning that the "Objetoteca Popular Itinerante" is a performance that features the association of ideas, based on everyday tangible and intangible objects. This project was established in the framework of the municipal programme "Cultura em Expansão", and after touring the country, it is presented at FIMP, in a special version.

It should be highlighted that due to the support by Porto City Hall, the entire FIMP is now economically viable, as state subsidies have been cancelled. News from public funding are expected to surface anytime now.

Teatro de Marionetas do Porto was created in September 1988, the same date in which the company was presented at the official selection of the Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes, in Charleville-Mézières.

See here the full programme.