Florian Loycke is the co-artistic director of Das Helmi, an experimental puppet theatre company founded in 2001 at Helmholtzplatz, Berlin. With a background in philosophy and theatre studies, Florian drifted through the city’s vibrant 1990s arts scene, engaging in various independent theatre and performance projects before co-founding Das Helmi. Initially conceived as a low-budget, postdramatic “mini-institution,” the company became an unexpected success, known for its handcrafted puppets and unconventional, often satirical productions. In 2006, ten of Das Helmi’s shows were invited to the Impulse Festival in one year, despite all being produced without a budget. Throughout the early 2000s, Florian and Das Helmi collaborated with a wide range of cultural institutions and grassroots initiatives, from the Jewish Museum and the Ethnological Museum Dahlem to Berlin’s Volksbühne, Ballhaus Ost, and numerous local theaters, festivals, and community projects. Known for its flexibility and collaborative spirit, the company has performed across Germany and Switzerland, working with both renowned and emerging artists. Beyond his work with Das Helmi, Florian also writes film music, performs in projects by visual artist Markus Öhrn, and directs productions at Stadttheater venues, showcasing his versatility across the performance spectrum.