Puppet and Marionette Arts Forum returns to Cairo after 9 years

January 22, 2026 / 12:30 AM

Sharjah 24: Dr Osama Mohamed Ali, Director of the Puppet Theatre and Coordinator of the Fifth Arab Forum for Puppet and Marionette Arts and Related Arts, explained that the forum launched on Wednesday after a nine-year hiatus, through cooperation between the Arab Theatre Institute and Egypt’s Ministry of Culture.

Platform for Arab artistic exchange

Dr Osama Mohamed Ali stated that the festival brings together the Arab puppet arts community to engage in dialogue, showcase experiences, and exchange artistic influence within a shared Arab cultural framework.

Three main programme tracks

In statements to “Sharjah 24,” Ali added that the forum’s activities are divided into three main tracks. The first is “The Secret of the Craft”, which brings together leading puppet artists from across the Arab world to pass on their expertise to future generations. The second is a puppet arts exhibition, showcasing various forms of puppetry from across the Arab region, in collaboration between professionals, amateurs, academics and institutions, amid an atmosphere of enthusiasm and creative momentum among artists and audiences alike.

Theatrical performances

He noted that the third track focuses on theatrical performances, featuring eight puppet shows and two productions from related arts, staged at the Cairo Puppet Theatre, Metropol Theatre, the Cultural Park, and Bayt Al-Suhaymi. Concluding his remarks, he said: “Puppet art is a human art, made by humans for humans.”