National Theater Prize Winner Appointed Honorary Member of UNIMA

MATANZAS, Cuba, Jun 15 (acn) Rene Fernandez, a National Theater Award winner, is the second Cuban appointed Honorary Member of the Union Internationale de la Marionnette (International Puppetry Association), UNIMA, an acknowledgement that was made public during the 22nd Congress of the organization held in Tolosa and San Sebastian, Spain.

Ruben Dario, general secretary of UNIMA Cuba, informed that, since May 31, UNIMA has appointed 11 new Honorary Members, among them Rene, for his sustained work for several decades, his work as undisputed leader of Papalote Theater, director, playwright and teacher of generations of puppeteers.
Philippe Genty, a stage manager and French pedagogue; Richard Bradshaw, an Australian specialist in shadow theater; Rainer Reush, a German researcher; and Zlatko Bourek, a Croatian stage manager and animated film director, also received the tribute of UNIMA.
Kalec Acosta, vice president of the Provincial Council of Performing Arts in Matanzas province, highlighted the relevance of honoring Rene, a creator devoted to the tableaus currently in Pinar del Rio to participate with Papalote in the 14th National Meeting of the Espacio Vital Small Format Theater.
Carucha Camejo, an artist who revolutionized puppetry on the island, was the first Cuban to be appointed Honorary Member of UNIMA International, a decision made public during the Congress of the organization held in 2012 in Chengdu, China.
Every four years, on the occasion of the congress of the organization, the UNIMA honors puppeteers or people who have a meritorious work related to stage.