Shymkent Puppet Theater
The Puppet Theater, inaugurated in 1983 in Shymkent, offers a diverse repertoire featuring both classic fairy-tale productions and their contemporary interpretations, along with other engaging performances. The theater's team performs in Kazakh and Russian languages.
Beyond its regular productions, the theater actively participates in international festivals, touring cities within Kazakhstan and around the world. The Puppet Theater also extends its performances to orphanages and children with disabilities.
The theater’s premises originally housed St. Nicholas Church, constructed in 1914. Over the years, the building underwent various transformations, serving as a regional library, the Palace of Pioneers, and eventually finding its purpose as the Puppet Theater. Recognized for its historical significance, the structure is listed among the architectural, historical, and cultural monuments of the 20th century.
The former St. Nicholas Church, with its more than a century-old existence, boasts a modest gray-beige facade adorned with arched windows and decor resembling half-columns. Notably, the original dome that once crowned the building was removed during Soviet times.
How to get there?
The theater is located on the territory of the Kenbaba Family Park, located at 34 Kazybek Bi St. You can get there by buses No. 1, 19, 26, 34, 67, 68, 74, 84, 103, 104, 114, 133, and 182.
Other tourist attractions near the theater:
- Central Park
- Theater of Satire and Humor
- Mega Planet Shopping Mall
- Shamshi Park
- Kazakh Carpet Museum
- Monument to Veterans of the Semipalatinsk Test Site 1949-1991
Recommended tours:
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Shymkent, the third-largest city in Kazakhstan, boasts a rich, extensive history. It is one of the oldest cities in the region, having emerged as a vital hub along the Silk Road caravan routes.