Coming together
TIP-Fest from artist's point of view
In November 2024, a Portugese working group visited Turku International Puppetry Festival with their work Sursum Corda | Through Everything. This participatory solo performance by Fernando Mota premiered at Fimfa in May 2024 and visited the first time abroad 9 to 10 November at TIP-Fest. Fernando Mota recalls the visit managed Aura of Puppets as part the touring pilot programme.
Questions
How did the performances go in Turku?
Fernando: I think they went great. We felt a good connection with the Finnish audience.
Sursum Corda is a kind of ritualistic performance and it depends a lot on the way the public interacts with it so it was important for us that they felt they were part of it and also felt moved by it.
Do you find this experience different from other international gigs?
F: We felt this Festival was made by and within a community and this is particularly important in these times of individualism and competition.
Did this visit give you new perspectives on international touring? Do you find festival or performance visits abroad more accessible after this project? Or was this experience similar to others?
F: Although we all toured internationally with other projects and companies, this is the beginning of touring with the performances of this cycle of creations dedicated to natural spaces and materials, so it was a great place to start. Next time I'd really love to do a creative residency and build all the instruments and objects from local natural materials.
Did you manage to meet other inspiring artists or make contacts with international colleagues?
F: hat was one of the great things of the Festival. To share time and ideas with the other artists. We met a lot of talented and inspiring people in Turku. Hope to see them again. Godspeed Aura of Puppets. See you soon.
Photos: Jussi Virkkumaa
