With the long march of people and puppets, the 15th Tehran international puppet festival Mobarak was inaugurated on Saturday in Tehran.
Launched from the festival secretariat in Felestin sq., the puppet carnival headed toward the City Theater Complex located at the Vali-asr crossroad, accompanied by different groups of artists as well as children who attended the carnival with their dolls, IRNA reported.
Festival secretary Marzieh Borumand who is also a well-known children’s film director, welcomed the participants and expressed hope for all children in Iran, region and the world “to have a year full of love, friendship, and peace ahead.”
Actress Fatemeh Motamed-Aria, a familiar face for her appearance in children movies and voice over for some puppet characters, also wished not only children but all people to be joyous in their lives.
Congratulating the day, actress Mahtab Keramati, who has been selected as UNICEF ambassador, hoped for closer relationship among all sections of the society.
Actor and puppeteer Hamid Jebelli wished for everyone to enjoy better days in future.
Balloons Galore
After the speeches, the festival officially started as hundreds of balloons were released into the sky.The shows of the eight-day festival will be performed at different locations including City Theater Complex, Sangelaj hall, Hafiz hall, Sa’di hall, Honar hall, Baharan cultural center, Niavaran park, Entezasmi museum, and Milad tower.
Children’s favorite puppet Senjed will report the events happening throughout the festival. Worked by Negar Estakhr, hand puppet Senjed will cover the news and give daily reports to television viewers.
Groups of puppeteers from several countries including Germany, Serbia, Armenia, Spain, Afghanistan, the US, the Netherlands, and China are attending the puppet show which concludes on September 20.
For more information on the event pay a visit to the website www.tehranmobarak.com. Moreover, tickets for different shows can be bought from the website www.gishetheater.com.
