[Zoom-in] Puppets, light and life
Did you know that on International Puppetry Day (21 March), UNIMA - the oldest international puppetry organisation - selects a new theme to honour the art?
This year’s message carries the title “Celebrating the Light of Life (The Hyena’s Dream)”, written by the Malian master puppeteer Yaya Coulibaly. Its focus on the “light of life” highlights puppetry as an art form that keeps culture, stories, and imagination alive.
Which is true! From school plays to movie sets, puppetry is one of the oldest Art disciplines, still thriving across cultures worldwide and continuing to bring people together.
We have gathered some upcoming Puppetry Festivals where you can experience this timeless art form and celebrate the “light of life”.
SaperliPuppet 2026
8 - 12 April 2026, La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, France
The biennale is happening again this April! In its anniversary edition, SaperliPuppet celebrates over ten years of creations, encounters and shared emotions around puppet arts and animated forms. It is a festival that includes shows and plays, along with dialogues about poetry, and a rich programme for all ages. Part of their programme is: object theatre, tabletop puppetry, shadow puppetry, miniature forms, and animated films, featuring French and international companies.
You can see their full programme here.
Photo via: Facebook
KLAP - Theatre for Young Audiences
23 - 26 April 2026, Kolding, Denmark
This year, the KLAP - Theatre for Young Audiences takes place in Kolding, and welcomes around 100 theatre companies from across Denmark, presenting more than 150 different productions in just four days.
A unique opportunity for children and young people to experience the world of theatre.
The festival’s programme is available here.
Photo via: Facebook
Festival Internacional de Teatre de Teresetes de Mallorca 27th edition
11 - 17 May 2026, Mallorca, Spain
The Teresetes International Theatre Festival takes place every third week of May, in 18 municipalities across the island of Mallorca.
The programme, as every year, features offerings for all audiences: families, young people, and adults, in multiple and varied venues, including street performances and indoor shows.
Stay tuned for their full programme on their website.
8th JEM International Puppet Festival 2026
22 May - 07 Jun 2026, Brussels, Belgium
The 8th edition of JEM International Puppet Festival continues to explore new ideas and open doors to new art forms and storytelling possibilities.
From hand puppetry and object theatre to delicate paper creations, the festival invites audiences to discover puppetry across different spaces and moments.
It also pays special attention to younger audiences by opening up the world of visual theatre to them. Bringing together international artists and emerging talents, the festival highlights the richness and diversity of puppetry both in Belgium and beyond.
Find the full programme and performances of the festival here.
Photo via theatreperuchet.be.
Puppeteers Chrudim
30 June - 6 July 2026, Chrudim, Czechia
In 2026, the Puppeteers Chrudim celebrates its 75th anniversary by showcasing amateur puppetry productions from non-professional Czech puppet theatres, as well as international puppet shows in various forms and manifestations. The programme features productions, professional educational seminars, public analysis seminars, and more.
Overall, the festival features 140 performances, accompanied by discussions, concerts, and art and puppet workshops for the public.
You can find their full programme here.
Photo via: Facebook
Go Figure! Festival for Puppetry and Visual Theatre
29 May 2026 - 7 June 2026, Oslo, Norway
Go Figure is a biannual festival, organised for those who love puppet theatre, for those who know what it is but are unsure if they like it, and for those who have never seen a single puppetry show. During this edition, the festival has prepared shows for young kids, teenagers and for anyone who would like to escape adulthood and relax in the theatre room.
Their programme for the festival is already published and available here.
Photo via gofigure.no
