History of the Batumi Marionette Theatre
The Batumi Marionette Theatre is a unique phenomenon in contemporary Georgian puppet theatre. It creates aesthetically rich, formalist, and emotionally charged full-scale marionette performances. It represents a departure from traditional puppet theatre toward dramatic theatre.
Our story begins on January 14, 2022, on the Day of the Restoration of Georgian Professional Theatre, in a historic room of the Batumi State Puppet and Youth Theatre—its balcony is a designated cultural heritage monument. The space, just 58 square meters in size, became home to an experimental marionette stage founded by the theatre’s then-artistic director, Giorgi Chkhaidze. The space opened with a performance of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
This small hall, which seated only 25 spectators, quickly became a beloved destination for young people and educational institutions. Professional actors and the creative team simultaneously began mastering the complex art of marionette puppetry, developing entirely new and distinctive theatrical forms.
In 2023, Giorgi Chkhaidze left the state theatre, and the marionette space ceased operating in its original location. But this was not the end—it was a transformation, the beginning of a more challenging path
From 2024, Giorgi Chkhaidze continued creating marionette performances and founded the Batumi Marionette Theatre as an independent, private organization. Together with professional actors and artists, the organization acquired a small venue, equipped it with professional sound and lighting systems, and resumed work. However, the theatre does not participate in local Georgian festivals or competitions—its focus is entirely on international marionette and puppet theatre festivals.
In 2025, the theatre premiered its second production, based on Jemal Karchkhadze’s prehistoric short story “He” (“Igi”)..
batumi marionette professional theatre
Our puppets are not decorative figures made for novelty. They act like “living actors” on stage, in real time—often performing actions that are technically challenging even for marionettes. We strive to make each puppet miniaturize the essence of a real human being, so that the audience may experience a spiritual and aesthetic catharsis.
Today, the theatre is led by:
• Artistic Director: Giorgi Chkhaidze
• Managing Director: Temur Makharadze
• Five professional actors:
◦ Irina Glonti
◦ Marika Buleishvili
◦ Meri Diasamidze
◦ Fridon Modebae
◦ Giorgi Arveladze
◦ Ana Malazonia
• Master Puppet Maker & Chief Designer: Meri Dartsmelidze
• Composer: Giorgi Trapaidze
We do not have a technical crew (lighting designers, stagehands, etc.). We take on every role necessary to create a fully professional performance.
Puppet theatre is not widely popular in Georgia—indeed, it is no longer taught at the university level. We aim to inspire young people and share the craft of puppetry with them. Equally important is to present Georgian performing arts and dramaturgy on the international puppet theatre stage and to participate in global collaborative projects..
Mission
Our mission is to preserve and revitalize Georgian puppet theatre.
Vision
We envision a space where people can come to reflect, rest, experience beauty, and develop new skills. Through workshops, we aim to teach anyone interested the modern principles of puppet-making.
Our target groups include teenagers, schoolchildren, and university students, with the goal of sparking interest in the art of puppet theatre.
Batumi Marionette Theatre 