Today, 21 March, the International Day of Puppetry is celebrated around the world. Since 2003, it has been the professional holiday of the World Puppetry Day.

The story begins in 2000 at the 18th Congress of the International Union of Puppet Theatre Artists (Union Internationale de la Marionnette, UNIMA) in Magdeburg.

Jivada ZolfagarihoThe Iranian puppeteer, a figure in Iranian puppet theatre, put forward and proposed the establishment of a Puppeteer's Day:

"On this day, may puppet shows be performed, discussions held, meetings organised, and all professionals and lovers of one of the oldest art forms united! Let everyone around us be part of the festivities! Let everyone be at the Puppet Theatre!".

Despite lively discussions about the timing of the celebration, the issue was never resolved. Two years later, at a meeting of the International Council of UNIMA, the date was set. Margareta Niculescu, then President of UNIMA, called on all puppeteers to make 21 March an exciting ritual in the name of puppetry.

Albert Roosenboom Belgian, 1845-1873

According to a renowned figure in Indian puppet theatre Kapilya Vatsyayan: "The world of puppet theatre is the innocence of childhood, its purity and immediacy, and the wisdom of a philosopher. For me, puppet theatre always holds a special fascination because it is a unique phenomenon in the arts: in its amazing simplicity and, The puppet theatre is a real universe of mystery and imagery, of mystery and fantasy. Emerging in real time and space, puppet theatre gives our souls back their true essence...".

Heinrich Hirt (1841-1902) - The Little Seamstress

Artist - Alexander Saveliev

Artist - Igor Zharkov

Kropovinsky Sergei. Clowns

One of the most unusual symbols of puppet theatre in the world is the clock on the façade of the Obraztsov Theatre in Moscow. Every hour, the doors around the dial open and twelve fairy-tale characters appear to the music.

In 1968, a Polish boy came up with the idea of awarding a medal to people who give children smiles. This idea was supported by adults and the Order of the Smile was established.

Sergei Obraztsov and Tyapa. 1955

The first foreign recipient of the Order was the head of the Moscow Puppet Theatre - Sergey Vladimirovich Obraztsov. During the ceremony he had to perform a task - to drink a glass of lemon juice with a smile on his face. The Moscow actor and director passed the test with honour.

Natalya Milashevich is a needleworker

Pierre Auguste Cote

Today, the holiday is widely celebrated in many countries around the world, not only by professionals themselves, but also by fans of the art of puppetry.

Traditionally, on this day, theatrical and puppet theatre professionals organise the most unusual performances, creative meetings, concerts and other festive events.

The puppet-makers, whose creativity and professionalism we sincerely admire, work in different styles and directions. Their dolls are not alike each other. In some works one is struck by the mastery of colour, in others by the meticulous study of anatomy and the profound understanding of the image. Sometimes the work of a master working in a style that is not close to his own is mesmerizing. It fascinates, makes you think and fantasise.

Artist - Tatiana Deriy

Theophile-Emmanuel Duverger

Artist Carlton Smith

Every year, the number of lovers of the fairy-tale world of dolls grows. Many want to buy an unusual gift or admire the craftsmanship, imagination, painstaking, jeweller's work, because dolls are great at evoking sincere feelings and emotions.

Congratulations to everyone who considers this holiday their own!

Photos are taken from open sources on the Internet.

With love and respect, Tatiana Kalinina