A Puppet Master Becomes a Knight

Bernd Ogrodnik

Bernd Ogrodnik, the Artistic Director and co-founder of the Icelandic Center for Puppetry Arts, Master Puppeteer for the National Theater of Iceland, and past president of UNIMA Iceland, received a Knighthood from Iceland’s President on January 2, 2021.  Bernd, an expert in marionette design and construction for a variety of performance mediums, has traveled the world conducting workshops, as well as teaching at his home base and online. Mary Nagler, the awardee of this year’s UNIMA-USA Study Abroad Scholarship, was savvy enough to choose Iceland as her destination and Bernd as her teacher.

A note on his Knighthood from Bernd:

“Yesterday we were invited to our president’s residency where I was made a Knight of the Order of the Falcon, for services to puppet theatre and culture. Because of Covid regulations, my amazing wife and partner Hildur pinned the medal to my chest, which is more than symbolic in describing her contribution to the wonders and success of my life. I am a fortunate man, living in a land where the president does not have to be surrounded by security guards, where Mother Nature fills your heart with inspiration, joy and energy, where the value of Art is supported and respected and a Puppeteer is granted knighthood. I am truly humbled by this honor and vow in good knights’ fashion to keep using my puppets to help protect and support the land and its people and to repay at least some of the enormous love and support I have been granted by this magical island called Iceland. Thank you, dear friends and family for your outpouring of congratulations and kindest words. I am deeply touched.”

Knight of the Order of the Falcon—a well-deserved honor, and a super cool title.

Congratulations, Bernd, and here, here!

Learn more about Bernd and Worlds of Puppets.

The UNIMA World Encyclopedia of Puppetry Arts entry about Bernd