Budapest Puppet Theater

"The Budapest Puppet Theater (Budapesti Bábszínház) has been a cornerstone of Hungarian cultural life since it opened in 1949. Located at 69 Andrássy Avenue, it is the largest puppet theater in Central Europe and the oldest professional puppet theater in Hungary. Known for its motto, "the puppet is not the matter of age, but a genre," the theater offers performances for both children and adults, breaking boundaries and proving that puppetry is a versatile and timeless art form. Initially known as the State Puppet Theater, it was renamed in 1992 to Budapest Puppet Theater. Over its long history, the theater has offered a wide range of performances, including traditional puppetry with hand and rod puppets, as well as more experimental works. It is particularly famous for its ability to blend classical music, drama, and puppetry, earning international acclaim for its innovative puppet adaptations of classic works. The theater has three stages: the main stage with 400 seats, the Ország Lili Studio with 100 seats, and the Kemény Henrik Room, opened in 2017. In addition to regular performances, it organizes the BÁBU festival and celebrates World Puppet Day on March 21. The theater is also home to a gallery dedicated to one of Hungary's most influential puppet designers, Koós Iván, showcasing designs and works of significant puppet artists. With an impressive 360-380 performances annually, the Budapest Puppet Theater continues to be a vital educational and entertainment venue, with 80% of its audience being children. It emphasizes both pedagogical and artistic concerns in its repertoire, ensuring that the magic of puppetry is accessible to audiences of all ages."