You probably already know about the wonderful project, the competition DABIDA.

Russian-speaking masters regularly take prizes on it.

But few people know about the background of this project.

DABIDA this is an abbreviation in Russian which means - the Belgian-Dutch Association of puppeteers.

Today, 15 years have passed since DABIDA held its first exhibition, which is now called DABIDA Day. And at that time it was not known whether it would arouse interest among lovers of puppetry.

Despite the tropical temperatures, on that memorable Sunday, April 15, 2007, the success was tremendous!

In the photo, visitors to the 2019 exhibition at the De Ruimte Gallery.

The beautiful location, the variety of styles, and the wide range of materials from which the presented dolls were created (textiles, ceramics, self-hardening masses, molded masses, polymer clay and porcelain) have also influenced.

Several participants of the exhibition held master classes, shared with visitors the author's techniques for creating dolls. The audience was so interested that many hours spent at the exhibition flew by unnoticed.

The organizing and driving force, the soul of DABIDA, has become Hanni Sarris. It was she who took the initiative to set up the Puppet Artists' Association to promote puppetry as an art form in its own right. Together with like-minded people - Astrid Mulder, Saskia Hubur and Marlene Verhelst they created a perfectly working exhibition project.

The DABIDA project is developing.

In 2009, as part of DABIDA Day, a competition was held for the first time, which has become an annual event. All puppet masters are invited to take part in it. From year to year, DABIDA members choose new topics for the competition.

The first exhibition was attended by 15 puppet masters from Belgium and the Netherlands, who exhibited their works in the atmospheric hall of an old church in Essen.

The photo shows the location of exhibitions over the years of the project's existence.

Over time, the participants and locations of the exhibition changed. In the Netherlands, church buildings are often used for social events. DABIDA's 10th Anniversary Celebrated at the Church Zuiderkerk in Amsterdam in collaboration with Svetlana Pchelnikova, who attracted participants from different countries, including Russian and Ukrainian puppet masters.

The last face-to-face exhibition venue, in 2019, was a gallery De ruimte in Geldrop... For the first time in Holland, dolls were exhibited in an art gallery and took their rightful place among the works of recognized art forms.

The photo shows the work of the finalists of the DABIDA 2019 competition, on the topic "Kintsugi - healing scars"

Since 2009, famous puppeteer artists have participated as guests of honor of DABIDA. They talked about their work or arranged a demonstration of the author's techniques for creating an art doll.

These guests were: Brian and Wendy Froud, the Popov sisters, Virginie Ropars, Tatiana Raum, Renate Jansen, Sabina Vogel, Patricia Cozzo, Eliza Fenoglio and Claudia Ruddy. From the Netherlands artists: Eric van Straaten, Juliana Kamerbek, Marijke Eken and An Brzoskovsky.

Today the Project, which has become international, in memory of its creator, is called the Hannie Sarris Doll Award. Unfortunately, since 2010, Hanni has not been with us, but her burning heart, skill and commitment to puppetry continues to inspire craftsmen around the world.

In 2020, for obvious reasons, the face-to-face exhibition was canceled. The DABIDA Sense of Security competition was held remotely.

The photo shows the work of the finalists.

We really hope that in 2021 we will be lucky enough to host a "live" exhibition.

This year's competition theme is "Reflection"... Anyone who creates dolls can participate.

Applications for the competition are accepted until August 1, 2021. Participation is free. The competition is held in two stages, at the first stage, participants send photos of their work. Works are posted on the site DABIDA. Jury, which includes all puppeteer artists DABIDA, selects the three best works. These works take part in the exhibition in person DABIDA, where the winner is determined.

You still have time to apply!

The work must fit the theme. How it is presented and worked out is entirely up to you. The figure or group of figures must be three-dimensional. All materials (plastics, textiles) and styles (abstract, realistic) are allowed. One piece from each participant. ⠀⠀⠀

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 Participants must submit to the email address of the competition: [email protected] :

- 2-4 photos of the work (overview and portrait). Photo size 600 x 900 pixels̆ (no other formats accepted) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

- Your name, postal̆ address, e-mail address, telephone number (including country code)

- Materials used and size of work⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

- Brief description of the work, including title⠀⠀⠀⠀

- It is forbidden to publish your work online before the top ten entries are announced on the website DABIDA, so as not to influence the jury. (Jury members evaluate the work anonymously) ⠀

 - The important thing is that the work should relate to the theme! ⠀⠀

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At the end of August, the works will be published on the website dabida.eu.

At the end of September 3 finalists will be determined.

These works are to be presented, in person, at the DABIDA exhibition, in the Netherlands, at the premises of the Nynen monastery on October 3, 2021, where the winner will be determined.

You can submit your work in person or send it by mail.

DABIDA's 15th anniversary will be marked by an extraordinary event.

Participants, guests of the exhibition, and finalists will be able to see the performance "The Tale of the Puppet Master". This is a piece of music that has been staged by the Blue Planet Harp Orchestra with the assistance of DABIDA... The puppeteer artists created the characters for this show.

The performance will take place in the concert hall of the Nünen monastery on October 3 at 14:30 and 16:00.

More information about the competition in English: http://dabida.eu

You can ask a question and send an application for participation, in English or German, to the organizers of the exhibition.

post office: [email protected]

Organizational questions in Russian can be asked to a member of DABIDA, Victoria Kostina.

post office: [email protected]

The video shows the awards ceremony for the finalists of the 2019 competition at the De Ruimte Gallery, Geldrop.

The title photo shows the creator of the project, Hanni Sarris, with her husband at the DABIDA exhibition in April 2009.

Material prepared by Victoria Kostina