The fifth edition of the Carthage Puppet Arts Days (JAMC), scheduled for February 3-10, 2024, will pay tribute to Lassaâd Mehouachi, a Tunisian puppet artist who passed away on September 8, 2023. Mehouachi, known for his significant contribution to puppetry in Tunisia and the Arab world, joined the National Centre for Puppet Art in 1993. He directed several major theatrical works for children and created a vast collection of puppets. His notable plays include "I am Cinderella", "The Costume", and "The Dinosaurs". His creations have been awarded at various national and international festivals, notably in Malaysia and Egypt. His last work, "Blackout", an adult play, was produced by the National Centre for Puppet Art and directed by Mounir Argui.
Preparations for the fifth anniversary of this unique festival in Tunisia were discussed in a working session chaired by the Minister of Cultural Affairs Hayet Guettat Guermazi. The festival will see the participation of 17 Arab and European countries and over 100 puppeteers from around the world. As part of these preparations, the National Centre for Puppet Art hosted the Portuguese company S.A.Marionetas for a 15-day artistic residency. The aim of this residency was to create giant puppets inspired by historical characters from the Portuguese company's shows, under the direction of master puppeteer José Manuel Valbom Gil. This collaboration offered a unique fusion of expertise and creativity, resulting in the creation of giant puppets manipulable by several participants.