Word from the dignitaries

© Mélanie Provencher, House of Commons Photo Services

 

As Minister of Canadian Heritage and Quebec Lieutenant, I am very pleased to welcome you to the 18th Festival de Casteliers.

Over the next five days, we will have the opportunity to discover the art of puppetry in all its forms. Whether they are miniature or gigantic, traditional or contemporary, puppets never cease to fascinate us when they come to life before our eyes.

I would like to salute everyone who made the 2023 festival possible. Thank you for highlighting this age-old art form that puts a smile on the faces of young and old alike. Enjoy the festival!

 

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez

 


 


© Christian Lalonde
The arts are a vital part of our society: they inspire us to reflect, bring us joy, nourish our sense of belonging, and strengthen our connections to one another and the wider world.

We need the arts now more than ever. A strong support for a resilient, inclusive, and accessible arts sector benefits society in all its diversity.  

The Canada Council for the Arts is a proud supporter of Festival de Casteliers and its creative contributions that bring the arts to life.

 


Simon Brault, O.C., O.Q.

Director and CEO

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

De mains de maître

Je suis fier que le gouvernement du Québec compte parmi les plus fidèles alliés du Festival de Casteliers depuis ses débuts. Cet événement est une plaque tournante pour la diffusion des arts de la marionnette au Québec, comme à l’international. Je souhaite la plus cordiale bienvenue aux créatrices et créateurs venus de tous les horizons pour nous offrir de mémorables instants de magie.

J’invite aussi le public de tous âges à venir faire connaissance avec ce festival unique où il découvrira un univers de merveilles, de fantaisie et de beauté, qui lui fera voir d’un œil nouveau la pratique du 11e art.

À toutes et à tous, excellent festival!

 

 

Mathieu Lacombe

Ministre de la Culture et des Communications
et ministre responsable de la Jeunesse

 


 

© Ville de Montréal / Sylvain Légaré
Festival de Casteliers, which celebrates its 18th anniversary this year, is a must-see event in our city’s cultural calendar. The city of Montréal is proud to reinforce its status as an international centre for the 11th art form by lending its support.

I congratulate the entire organization team that offers us, once again, an exceptional program and opens a new door into the world of puppetry.

I hope that everyone will rediscover their childhood spirit when admiring the beauty of the shows offered throughout this unparalleled event.

Enjoy the festival!

Valérie Plante

Mayor of Montréal

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

It is no coincidence that the Conseil des arts de Montréal has been supporting Festival de Casteliers for over 15 years. This unique event in the city revitalizes the puppetry arts by presenting amazing works created by local artists, while giving space to international artists.

This 18th edition amply fulfills its mission as a major showcase for the puppetry scene, forging precious links with the public as well as with other organizations in the arts community.

For the pleasure of all, make way for this beautiful festival!

 

Nathalie Maillé

Executive Director

Conseil des arts de Montréal

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A superb festival that transforms Outremont to the rhythm of the 11th art 

As a proud financial partner of the 18th edition of Festival de Casteliers, the borough invites you to attend this unique annual celebration. For a short time, the festival transforms Outremont to the rhythm of the wonderful art of puppetry in all its forms, featuring our local talent and international guest artists.

Festival de Casteliers reaches far beyond our borough’s borders, showcasing Outremont with a program that includes performances, exhibitions and outstanding creative activities. Young and young-at-heart will once again be enchanted and amazed by the diversity of the events on offer.

We invite all of you to participate in this event, which fosters Outremont arts and culture.

Enjoy the festival, everyone!

 

Laurent Desbois

Borough Mayor

 

 


 

Louise Lapointe © Christian Brault

 

Geneviève Therrien © Christian Brault

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A major event!

Casteliers is celebrating its 18th birthday by welcoming back to Montréal puppeteers from three continents: Canada, France, Belgium, the Czech Republic and, for the very first time, from Taiwan.

A carefully curated overview of contemporary puppetry, the festival schedule testifies to the enduring appeal of the 11th art form, a form closely allied with dance, music and the visual arts. Puppetry combines matter and gesture, sound and image, words and the unspeakable, and provides a reflection of ourselves in every possible tone and form, through all the stages of life.

Hand puppets, rod puppets, objects, shadows, mannequins, masks, projections and robotic figures will take over the small and large stages of Montréal, on tabletops, railway tracks, in traditional puppet theatre sets or on the silver screen.

Casteliers gratefully acknowledges its many public and private partners for their invaluable support in guiding us to this important—this major!—point on our journey, and for stoking our spirits to continue dreaming of what comes next.

May spring break take you on a journey of discovery!

Enjoy the festival!

 

Louise Lapointe
Directrice artistique

 

Geneviève Therrien
Directrice générale