Andorra's 24th Ànima Puppet Festival Blends Tradition and Modernity Nov 1-14

The 24th Ànima Puppet Festival in Andorra will run from 1 to 14 November, featuring 14 sessions that mix traditional puppetry with innovative approaches, including a first-time national production.

Culture, Childhood and Youth councillor Joan Sans noted the programme's expansion to cover three weekends, with school shows during the week. Partnerships have grown to include the Education Ministry alongside Andorra Turisme and the Spanish and French embassies. A performance is set for Pas de la Casa's community hall to extend the event's reach across parishes.

All schoolchildren will now have access to El viatge de la Nuru by Festuc Teatre. The national debut, Tot per fer, delves into contemporary puppetry, physical theatre and object theatre, reflecting on which stories to preserve and which to leave behind.

The festival opens on 1 November with Solitudes, winner of the Max Prize for best theatre show and musical composition. On 3 November, Cacauet Teatre offers a children's show in Pas de la Casa, followed by Javier Aranda's Saeta and El Bosque de Coco, supported by the Spanish Embassy.

France contributes Renaud Herbin's work combining puppets, dance and visual arts. The event wraps up on 14 November with Conte de Nadal: encapsulant a Dickens, a puppet and object theatre piece paired with a workshop.

Andorra Turisme's Product and Events director Enric Torres described it as a key cultural fixture, now lengthened by an extra week to draw in families during November.

Spanish ambassador Carles Pérez-Desoy praised its adaptation to the digital age while holding onto essentials. French ambassador Nicolas Eybalin highlighted its advancement and novel concepts.

Sans stressed the diverse lineup, accessible to all ages and tackling current themes via puppetry.