PUPIfest

PUPIfest is a cultural and educational youth project inspired by Opera dei Pupi, the traditional Sicilian puppet theatre recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The project offers an immersive and hands-on experience for young people from different European countries. Participants do not only learn about puppets, they become pupari themselves. During an intensive programme of around 10 days, they create their own puppet character from the beginning: building the structure, shaping the head, designing costumes, learning manipulation techniques, and bringing the character to life on stage.

Through non-formal education methods, workshops, games, and collective creation, participants explore storytelling, body expression, craftsmanship, and performance. The activities include puppet-making, epic narration, stage action, choreographed fights, music, and visual design. Each participant creates a character (hero, villain, magician, ruler, etc.) that represents part of their identity, imagination, and personal story.

In a time dominated by digital communication, PUPIfest promotes learning through manual skills, live interaction, creativity, and group rituals. The project shows young people that cultural heritage is not something static or from the past, but a living and creative resource that can connect cultures and generations.

PUPIfest also addresses universal themes such as courage, identity, justice, friendship, betrayal, and choice, using epic, symbolic, and sometimes ironic languages that are accessible and engaging for today’s youth.

We are looking for partners interested in youth work, non-formal education, cultural heritage, performing arts, and intercultural exchange.