Ontinyent will play a key role in the 41st International Puppet Show of the Vall d'Albaida, with two performances scheduled for 6 November at the Sala Gomis. The programme includes two morning sessions of the show 'Filar', created by Antonella D’Ascenzi, aimed at students from various educational institutions, as well as an evening performance of 'Viva!', by La Loquace Cie, intended for adult audiences.
Àlex Borrell, the Councillor for Culture, emphasised the significance of the event in bringing high-quality theatrical proposals to Ontinyent, showcasing the diverse languages offered by the world of puppetry. He noted the value of combining activities for younger audiences, which introduce them to the performing arts, with a piece for adults that addresses profound social and historical issues through theatre.
The first performance, 'Filar', is a 40-minute piece that merges dance, puppetry, and visual theatre, exploring the invisible connections between people through the dialogue between a dancer and a marionette. This poetic and sensitive staging invites reflection on connection, empathy, and human relationships. Due to high demand from schools, a second session has been scheduled. The first session at 09:30 will host 40 students from La Solana, 178 from La Concepción, and 45 from CEIP Vicente Gironés, while the second session at 11:00 will welcome 255 students from Carmelo Ripoll and 30 from Sant Vicente Ferrer in Agullent, totalling nearly 550 schoolchildren who will experience this artistic event.
The evening performance at 20:00 will feature 'Viva!', a 70-minute object theatre show recommended for ages 12 and up. This production is based on a true story of a feminicide that occurred during Franco's dictatorship, which remained silenced within a family for decades. 'Viva!' has received several accolades, including the Best Documentary Theatre Show Award at FETEN Gijón 2026 and the Drac de Oro Award at the Lleida Puppet Fair 2024, and was selected by Babelia, a cultural supplement of El País, as one of the ten best theatre shows of 2025.
Tickets for 'Viva!' are priced at €8 for general admission and €6 with a discount, available for purchase on the Caixa Ontinyent website and at the Casa de Cultura.
