Kazan Welcomes the Legendary Puppet Theater from Mali

For more than 40 years, this celebrated troupe has presented rich African puppet traditions not only in its homeland but also abroad, captivating audiences in Europe and the United States. In the productions of master Yaya Coulibaly, who preserves the authentic puppet art of the Bambara people, enchanted audiences encounter heroes of folk tales and legends, as well as characters from history and contemporary African life.

The theater’s creative repertoire includes numerous puppetry techniques—marionettes, rod puppets, and even traditional masks come to life on stage. The unique atmosphere of the Malian troupe’s performances is further enhanced by live folk music.

“Shombay-Fest,” now held for the sixth time, has established itself as one of the most significant puppet theater festivals in Russia. This year, the theatrical celebration has brought together leading puppetry masters from various regions of our country, as well as guests from Mali, Kazakhstan, and Republika Srpska.

The festival performance of Yaya Coulibaly’s theater will take place on Sunday, June 21, the closing day of the festival. The troupe will present its vibrant and distinctive production “Little Siu” to Russian audiences—a performance capable of engaging, surprising, and inspiring viewers of all ages.