Dockor i Norr, a Nordic puppet theatre festival, will be held in Umeå, November 7th to 11th, this year. The festival offers performances for children and adults alike, by companies from Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia. In addition to the regular program there will also be lectures, workshops and exibitions. The purpose of the festival is to promote the puppet theatre as an independent art form, and to highlight its ageless qualities for entertainment.

Dockor i Norr was founded in 1987 by the puppeteer Margareta Selander. Margareta, with her origins in northern Sweden, is the director of the professional company Dockteater Månstjärnan. Månstjärnan won international renown early on, and have toured the Nordic countries, Russia and Italy. In order to celebrate Månstjärnan’s 20th anniversary, Margareta decided to launch this festival.

The project Dockor i Norr is a collaboration between Månstjärnan, Föreningen Norden, the municipality of Umeå, ABF and other sponsors. We see the project as a means of promoting creativity, peace and tolerance between people and nations.

Puppet theatre is a very old art form. Since time immemorial people have told stories, sometimes making use of puppets or other objects. The puppet is able to express feelings and concepts the storyteller himself cannot put into words. Throughout history, puppet theatre has developed and adapted itself to a changing society. With its many aspects puppet theatre enrichens our lives and helps us reflect on ourselves and our times.

During the last few centuries, the puppet theatre has spread and evolved. From the old imperial courts, to the church, the marketplaces and then finally to libraries, schools and the theatre stage. Today the puppet theatre is thriving, adding its special mixture of poetry, humour and ageless wisdom to the culture scene.