By creating, in 2021, an International Award for Initiative in Puppet Theatre, the Member Cities of AVIAMA (Association of Puppet Friendly Cities) wanted to reward on an international scale those who, through innovative action, They contribute to highlighting the arts of puppetry, defending its development and promoting its recognition by a wide public.

Every two years, the prize is awarded to a city or a local government, and the following year (odd years) to an individual (artist, etc.), an association, a company, etc.

“Since its inauguration in 2009, TOPIC has established itself as an innovative center with a multipurpose infrastructure: it is both a Museum and a permanent Theater, and welcomes students and researchers in its Documentation Center. The Center also carries out extensive arts education work with a wide variety of groups (schools, special education, families…). Finally, the Center develops residencies for creators throughout the year. TOPIC also organizes the TITIRIJAI International Festival, in addition to its annual puppet theater program. It also carries out the PUPPET SCENE program for schools and families, with regular workshops for children and families in Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, Euskadi and all of Spain. TOPIC also hosts professional meetings and training courses for puppeteers and other performing artists. It regularly organizes international meetings between puppeteers and creators from all over the world”, these are the words with which the international jury has evaluated the awarding of the prize to the Tolosa center.

Distributed by AVIAMA through its network of 19 cities on 4 continents, this Award is a lever for the winners, giving them additional visibility with a broader professional network. The Prize consists of a Trophy, created in 2022 by a Canadian puppeteer-artist from Saguenay (Quebec)