The vibrant city of Marrakech is set to host the third edition of the Marrakech Puppetry Arts Festival, dedicated to the world of puppetry and performance arts. This year’s festival, named in honor of the esteemed artist Abdul Wahid Bishari, will take place from October 22 to 31, 2026, under the theme "A Puppetry Movement in Service of Childhood." Organized by the Puppetry Association for Education and Culture, this event aims to bolster the cultural appreciation of children’s theatre and puppetry as dynamic forms of entertainment that blend enjoyment with education and imagination.
Supported by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, along with the Marrakech municipal council and various partners, this artistic celebration aspires to establish the significance of puppetry and children’s theatre within Moroccan culture. The festival offers children a unique opportunity to engage with theatrical expressions that resonate with their world through visual and kinetic performances.
In a gesture of appreciation, the festival's management has dedicated this year's edition to Abdul Wahid Bishari, recognizing his artistic journey. Additionally, the festival will honor researcher and writer Dr. Rashid Amhajour, reflecting its commitment to celebrating artistic experiences while valuing research and writing in the realms of puppetry and theatre.
Beyond theatrical performances, the festival will feature a diverse array of artistic, cultural, and training activities. These include Moroccan puppetry shows, performances aimed at preschool children, an exhibition showcasing the various stages of puppet-making, and workshops focused on puppet and doll creation, as well as drama games. The program also includes parallel activities such as a press conference, a tribute to Dr. Rashid Amhajour, and a book signing of "Comedy in Contemporary Moroccan Theatre," alongside a festival panel discussing dramatic text and puppetry, supported by the Dar Poetry Foundation in Marrakech. This panel will see the participation of several researchers and will include a roundtable discussion facilitated by a group of enthusiasts, as well as a masterclass featuring both artist and playwright Dr. Rashid Amhajour and artist-instructor Moulay Abdul Wahid Bishari.
The training workshops are a significant highlight of this edition, particularly in the area of puppet and doll production, featuring participation from numerous artists and trainers. This positions the festival not merely as a platform for entertainment and performances but also as a space for training and the exchange of experiences.
Several artistic troupes will participate in the festival, including the Puppet Theatre for Education and Entertainment from Marrakech, the Souss Theatre Workshop from Ait Melloul, the Jokanda troupe from Temara, the Artists' troupe from Salé, and the Fun Performance troupe from Tangier, along with early childhood education ensembles.
The festival's events will be hosted across various cultural venues in Marrakech, including the small hall of the Daoudi Cultural Complex, the Youth House at Arsa Al-Hamid, the Hay Hassani Cultural Complex, and the Ain Itti Citizen House.
Ultimately, the central challenge of this edition is to make puppetry a gateway into the world of children, serving as a space for creativity, training, and education while embracing diverse artistic expressions associated with this genre of entertainment. Thus, the Marrakech Puppetry Arts Festival continues to evolve with each edition, placing children at the heart of its mission and betting on puppetry as an art form capable of creating enjoyment, stimulating imagination, and opening new doors for theatrical and artistic experimentation.
As reported by achpress.com.
