Events
«Puppets, traditions, and inspiration: how the festival in Kostanay went»
The wonderful celebration of art — the International Puppet Theater Festival «Kostanay Puppet Life – 2025» — came to a close. The festival was held from September 16 to 20, 2025. During these days, we witnessed a true miracle: puppets came to life on stage, and with them entire worlds filled with fairy tales, kindness, and deep meaning. We are confident that the festival was held at a high level and that its results will serve as a strong foundation for new projects.
Professional troupes from Kazakhstan, China, Iran, Peru, Russia, and Uzbekistan took part in the festival. The festival performances stood out for their genre diversity, unusual scenography, and original artistic and theatrical techniques. They allowed audiences and participants to immerse themselves in the rich traditions of puppet art from different countries. The jury included leading theater figures: Anar Yerkebai (Kazakhstan), Marina Yüce (Turkey), and Mukhamadullo Tavarov (Tajikistan).
The festival program featured competition performances and discussions, as well as educational events. Participants attended a master class from a leading puppetry expert and went on an excursion to the historical and cultural landmarks of Kostanay. The festival’s guest of honor, director, scenographer, artistic director of the «Tempo» theater, president of the KUKSADER organization (Association of Puppet Games, Karagöz Shadow Theater and Performing Arts), and professor at Bilkent University — Halyk Yüce (Turkey) — introduced participants and guests to the unique features and magic of shadow theater.
The anniversary festival concluded with an award ceremony, where the jury named the best participants in several categories:
Professional troupes from Kazakhstan, China, Iran, Peru, Russia, and Uzbekistan took part in the festival. The festival performances stood out for their genre diversity, unusual scenography, and original artistic and theatrical techniques. They allowed audiences and participants to immerse themselves in the rich traditions of puppet art from different countries. The jury included leading theater figures: Anar Yerkebai (Kazakhstan), Marina Yüce (Turkey), and Mukhamadullo Tavarov (Tajikistan).
The festival program featured competition performances and discussions, as well as educational events. Participants attended a master class from a leading puppetry expert and went on an excursion to the historical and cultural landmarks of Kostanay. The festival’s guest of honor, director, scenographer, artistic director of the «Tempo» theater, president of the KUKSADER organization (Association of Puppet Games, Karagöz Shadow Theater and Performing Arts), and professor at Bilkent University — Halyk Yüce (Turkey) — introduced participants and guests to the unique features and magic of shadow theater.
The anniversary festival concluded with an award ceremony, where the jury named the best participants in several categories:
- «Best Performance» — Nakhnama Theater with the play «Mathless», directed by Gheys Yasaghi (Iran);
- «Best Acting Ensemble» — Mangystau Regional Puppet Theater with the play «Dastarkhan», directed by N. Nassyrova (Kazakhstan, Aktau);
- «Best Directing Work» — Puppet troupe of the S. Kozhamkulov Kazakh Musical Drama Theater of the Ulytau region with the play «Küy qudireti», directed by Z. Turysmuratova (Kazakhstan, Zhezkazgan);
- «Best Puppeteer» — Sky Bird Puppet Group with the play «Chinese Traditions», directed by Mr. CHEUNG Chun Fai (China);
- «For Preserving National Traditions» — Puppet troupe «Nartaydıñ büldirşinderi» of the Nartai Bekezhanov Kyzylorda Regional Kazakh Academic Musical Drama Theater with the play «Ur, Toqpaq!», directed by E. Kabdyl (Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda);
- «For Innovative Vision» — TOHOT Theater with the play «Zverskiy detektiv. V logove volka», directed by S. Cherepanov (Russia, Chelyabinsk).
The winners received diplomas, statuettes, and cash certificates, while all other participants were awarded letters of appreciation.
The «Kostanay Puppet Life – 2025» festival will undoubtedly become an important page not only in the history of the Kostanay Regional Puppet Theater, but also in the history of the entire international puppetry community.
The «Kostanay Puppet Life – 2025» festival will undoubtedly become an important page not only in the history of the Kostanay Regional Puppet Theater, but also in the history of the entire international puppetry community.
