German puppetry association. Verband Deutscher Puppentheater e.V. (registered society), or VDP, was founded in 1968 to represent West German professionals in puppet theatres. Peter Klaus Steinmann, Albrecht Roser and Fritz Leese are among its founders.

Beside its politico-cultural aims, the association promotes continuing education and workshops and discussions for professionals about developments in the field. It maintains several archives and collections, holds a yearly national congress and publishes a professional journal, initially called, Puppenspiel-Information (Puppetry Information), today, Puppen, Menschen & Objekte (Puppets, People & Objects).

In 2010, the VDP had more than 125 members.

(See Germany.)