Puppetry is a living expression of centuries-old beliefs, customs, and folklore, a vibrant storytelling tradition that bridges generations and cultures. It is a living classroom, teaching history, values, and art through an engaging and inclusive form of performance.
The SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC), Colombo, Sri Lanka is proud to host the SAARC Puppetry Fest 2025, a three-day celebration of South Asia’s rich puppet traditions. This unique festival aims to promote regional unity through cultural integration and intercultural dialogue, strengthening the bonds among SAARC nations.
Festival Dates and Venues:
15 July 2025 5.30 PM Onwards: Dutch Hospital Street, Fairway Colombo
16 July 2025 09.15 AM – 12.15 PM: Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo,
15 July 2025 3.30 PM Onwards: Puppet Museum, Ambalangoda
Featured Puppetry Groups:
Puppet Theatre Research and Development Centre of Bangladesh (PTRDCB), Jahangirnagar University.
Dolls Theatre, Kolkata, India.
Tikiri & Co., Nalin Gamwari, Lucksiri Puppet Artists, and the Puppet Museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.
These distinguished groups will bring both traditional and contemporary stories to life, using the timeless art of puppetry to create social awareness and celebrate intangible cultural heritage.
All performances and exhibitions are FREE and open to the public, a perfect opportunity for families, students, artists, and cultural enthusiasts to witness the magic of puppetry first-hand!
Special thanks to our Official Hospitality Partner: Fairway Colombo
for supporting this colorful cultural celebration.
Come, see, and celebrate the timeless magic of South Asian puppetry with us!