The 16th Tehran Mobarak International Puppet Festival was inaugurated on Monday, in downtown Tehran with a huge crowd in attendance.
Many giant puppets were carried by puppeteers during the inauguration ceremony which saw the participants going in a march from Vahdat Hall to the City Theater in Daneshjoo Park at Valiasr-Enqelab intersection.
The streets and alleys around the City Theater were full of children and adults carrying dolls and puppets. Several musicians also performed memorable pieces from old children's TV programs at different spots among the crowds. The whole event resembled a colorful carnival in which both kids and grown-ups could be seen enjoying, ISNA reported.
When the crowd gathered in the open grounds of the festival venue, the event was officially opened by the actress, puppeteer, screenwriter and film director Marzieh Boroumand, who is also festival secretary.
Instead of the usual speeches at such ceremonies, Boroumand, 65, started the occasion by wishing happiness, safety and peace, especially for children. "We hope the sky is always blue for children and pray for the prevalence of peace and security in the world. We pray no child sleeps in fear and wish happiness and joy for all families, particularly Iranians," she said.
Afterwards, hundreds of colorful balloons were sent into the sky and performances of different local and international troupes were launched inside the theater halls as well as in the open space.
Actress and playwright Maryam Saadat, actor and director Hamid Jebelli, director and producer Bahram Shahmohammadlou, puppeteer and voice artist Azadeh Pourmokhtar and theater director Homa Jeddikar accompanied Boroumand in the opening ceremony. Nine countries are participating in the international section of the festival. The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Russia, India, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Germany, Spain and Poland have each has sent an ensemble to take part.
The week-long event concludes on August 28.
