Khiva Puppet Theatre – continuation of Uzbek traditions of puppet theater

Puppet performances are a long tradition in many countries of the world. In the Middle Ages, on noisy, crowded squares during fairs and folk festivals, puppet performances were arranged for the people. On the primitive, hastily assembled stage with a screen, mini-scenes were shown about the life of ordinary people, the rich and the poor, the devotion of lovers, friendship and betrayal.

The tradition of puppet theater in Uzbekistan dates back to the VI-IV centuries BC, to the era of the Achaemenids. However, the puppet theater became widespread only in the XIV century, during the reign of Timur and Timurids. Particularly popular for centuries were puppet theaters and glove puppets. Puppet performances are still represented in the theatrical art of Uzbekistan.

Among the modern puppet theaters of Uzbekistan, the State Puppet Theatre of Khorezm region, located in Khiva, is distinguished by its special color. This is the only puppet theater in Uzbekistan, where you can still feel the spirit of medieval bazaar performances: scenery, dolls, plots, the manner of acting – take us back centuries. That is why the Khiva Puppet Theater is so popular not only among the residents of Uzbekistan, but also accepted with delight by foreign spectators.