Int’l lineup revealed for Mobarak Puppet Theater Festival

The 19th edition of the Mobarak Puppet Theater Festival has unveiled its lineup for the international competition, generating excitement among theater enthusiasts.

Brazilian director Fábio Superbi's ‘Treasure Island’ is among the showcased puppet shows.

The performance takes audiences on a thrilling adventure, reminiscent of tales of heroic quests and challenges. The story follows Jim, a brave 11-year-old adventurer, as he encounters an old sea wolf, discovers a treasure map, embarks on a perilous journey aboard a massive ship, confronts pirates, overcomes the dangers of a desert island, encounters a ghost, and ultimately finds his long-awaited treasure.

Renowned Georgian puppeteer Elene Matskhonashvili will grace the festival with her biographical plays, ‘Pirosmani’ and ‘Niko Nikoladze’.

‘Pirosmani’ depicts the tragic life story of the esteemed Georgian artist Niko Pirosmani, whose untimely demise occurred in a basement. In her second puppet show, Matskhonashvili focuses on Niko Nikoladze, a Georgian writer and pro-Western enlightener known for his influential contributions to Georgian liberal journalism, as well as his involvement in various economic and social projects of his time.

The lineup also includes ‘The Magic Lamp’ by Cengiz Özek from Turkey, a stage adaptation of the literary fairy tale ‘Thumbelina’ by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.

The story follows Hacivat, who discovers a lamp and brings it to Karagoz to have it cleaned. Inside the lamp resides a benevolent genie, granting Karagoz three wishes. However, Karagoz's indecisiveness leads him to shrink to the size of a thumb, embarking on an adventure fraught with encounters with giants, animals, and challenging weather conditions. Ultimately, it is the kind-hearted genie who rescues Karagoz, enabling him to regain his normal size and use his wishes for the happiness and well-being of his friends.

Peruvian directors Ines Pasic and Hugo Suárez will captivate audiences with their production titled ‘Body Rhapsody’. This picturesque parade of amusing characters explores the poetic moments hidden within everyday life. Through their dreams, frustrations, successes, and failures, these characters present a poignant reflection of the eternal drama inherent in the human experience.

The festival will also showcase ‘Birds Are Eternal’ by Antonio Camacho Oropeza from Mexico and ‘Swan Lake’ by Samson Movsesyan from Armenia, further diversifying the international lineup and offering unique perspectives on puppetry.

In recognition of their invaluable contributions to the field, this year's festival will honor veteran puppeteers Hassan Dadashgar and Homa Jeddikar with lifetime achievement awards, paying tribute to their remarkable careers and dedication to the art form.

As the Mobarak Puppet Theater Festival prepares to take center stage, anticipation builds for this extraordinary celebration of puppetry, creativity, and storytelling.

Audiences can expect a captivating and memorable experience as they witness the culmination of talent from diverse cultures converging on a single platform, bridging gaps and fostering appreciation for this timeless art form.

The 19th edition of the festival is scheduled for June 29 – July 8, 2023.

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