I chose this challenging theme for our 2025 event against the backdrop of grim headlines, dire warnings, rampant biases, desperation, and heroic stories. I believe that by bringing together diverse voices and creative practices, we can discover innovative approaches, cross cultural and linguistic barriers, and share stories of hope, resilience, and solidarity.

According to the International Organization for Migration’s 2024 report, there are 281 million international migrants worldwide. The number of displaced individuals due to conflict, violence, disaster, and climate change has reached 117 million—the highest ever recorded—highlighting the urgent need to address global displacement.

In Canada, 483,591 permanent immigrants were welcomed in 2024. Calgary saw a 6% population increase, with many of these new residents arriving from international origins. Our venue, The Centre for Newcomers, served over 55,000 people last year alone.

Despite migration being an essential and ongoing part of human history, it is often portrayed in the media as a “problem” or crisis. Headlines frequently focus on dramatic and tragic events—such as irregular crossings at the Canada–U.S. border, where at least 38 people have lost their lives.

Irregular immigration is a complex, multifaceted challenge, deeply entangled with multiple interconnected forces—social, political, economic, environmental, and technological. Amanda Petefish-Schrag draws on the concept of “Wicked Problems” to describe these kinds of deeply interwoven issues.

However, I’m inspired by initiatives like Little Amal, a giant puppet representing a young Syrian refugee girl. Having walked through over 166 towns in 17 countries and greeted by millions, Little Amal has become a global symbol of hope, compassion, and human rights—especially for displaced children separated from their families.

Little Amal reminds me of the extraordinary power of puppetry. By its very nature, puppetry leans into metaphor, abstraction, and layered storytelling—powerful tools for navigating and communicating the nuances of complex social issues.

Through stories from our local and international presenters and performers, we aim to inspire, inform, and galvanize those working in immigration and settlement, as well as newcomers and the general public.

PP25’s workshops and presentations will showcase the transformative power of puppetry—particularly in supporting the mental health and well-being of newcomers facing the overwhelming challenges of starting anew. We’ll demonstrate how puppetry bridges cultures and languages and builds understanding and empathy.

Our featured performance and gala dinner will be a joyful celebration of community, hope, and solidarity.

One exciting feature of PP25 will be a Rapid Ideation session focused on developing local puppet programs for Calgary’s immigrant-serving organizations. We hope this sparks fresh ideas that WP Puppet Theatre is committed to helping bring to life.

Puppet Power 2025 is the 13th iteration of our exploration into the “social issues of our time.” Over the years, it has profoundly shaped WPTS operations, policies, and practices—raising our awareness and deepening our understanding of the challenges people face worldwide. Personally, it has strengthened my commitment to “be the change”* I wish to see.

Puppetry thrives in metaphor and humour, I think this anonymous quote, is a good way to summarize:

“We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors. But they all fit nicely into the same box.”

Together, through puppetry and creativity, let’s make space for every crayon in the box.

Wendy Passmore-Godfrey, BFA, ASA, is a visual artist, writer, and performer, as well as the Artistic and Founding Director of WP Puppet Theatre, a non-profit charitable society established in Calgary, Mohkinstsis, Alberta, in 1991.
She has designed, built, and performed in over 20 productions, touring both locally and internationally.