For centuries, maskharaboz (traditional clowns) performed humorous shows on city and village squares. The first puppet studio in Tashkent appeared in 1928 at the Young Spectator Theatre, and in 1939 the first puppet theatre was established. It was located next to the Palace of Pioneers — the former residence of Grand Duke Nikolai Romanov.
In 1979, for its 40th anniversary, the Republican
Puppet Theatre received a new building near the “Kosmonavtlar” metro station.
The structure, designed by architect Valeriy Kuzlyanov, opened during the days
of the International Asian Puppet Theatre Festival held in Tashkent.
Visiting the theatre becomes a fairy-tale journey:
colourful fountains with fantastic creatures greet visitors on the approach;
above the entrance, “coming-to-life” copper maskharaboz figures welcome guests;
balconies and numerous niches in the foyer host a permanent puppet exhibition,
while the inner courtyard features magical scenes with fairy-tale characters. A
true celebration for children and adults alike!
Forty-five years after opening, the theatre was
reconstructed and modernised while preserving its original exterior. It is now
called the “Uzbek National Puppet Theatre” and its permanent repertoire
includes performances in both Uzbek and Russian.
The theatre company participates in numerous
international festivals, and the building itself remains one of the brightest
architectural jewels of the capital.
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