2023-09-12
The First Annual Christian Puppet Theater Festival
From August 11-13, 2023, the First of it’s kind, a Christian puppet festival was held in the town of Ramenskoye near Moscow. It was attended by: 21 puppet theater teams, teachers, preachers, musicians, technical staff - overall 106 participants from 22 regions and regions of Russia.
One of the main goals of the festival was to inspire the creation of new Christian puppet theaters as an effective means of sharing the gospel with children. For example, through the performance of only one Moscow theater, “Smile,” during the Christmas tour, 800 to 1,500 children and adults came into contact with the Good News of Jesus.
At the festival, participants were able to share the performances they had brought with them, watch other groups, and also take part in a performance competition for the Audience Choice Award. There was an opportunity to see many interesting ideas, creative projects, original solutions, as well as meet new people who were burning with love for God and children. Also, competent teachers and experienced “puppeteers” conducted a number of useful master classes on working with puppets, screenwriting, the basis of directing, methods of play activities, and the practice of innovative techniques. One of the master classes was a class on sewing dolls. Those who came to it were able not only to learn the skill of sewing dolls, but also to take home one they had made with their own hands.
Here are some testimonies about the past festival:
“We are eager to create our own puppet theater. We would like to try to prepare a performance for the opening of the school year in Sunday school and for the children of the children's rehab center, and then in other places!
Thank you again for your knowledge and experience. I hope everything will work out, and the Lord will help us realize our plans.” - Natalya Nikolaevna S., Volgograd.
“A million things haven’t been done, work has stopped, the tomatoes are overripe. But the trip to the festival was worth it all. Thank you so much for this event. It was a blessed service! I wish you all creative success and success in God’s work! Many thanks to the organizers!!! May the Lord continue to bless you in your work!!!” - Margarita S., Saransk.
“We thank the Lord for you and this opportunity to be at the festival!!! This was a special time that we spent which had great benefits for everyone! Blessings to you, dear organizers!” - Polina M., Samara.
