Marionnetik(s) Festival

Marionnetik(s): The Magic of Puppetry in Noisy-le-Grand

The Marionnetik(s) festival is one of the most anticipated cultural events in Noisy-le-Grand (93160). Organized by the Espace Michel-Simon, it dedicates two weeks each February to the art of puppetry and object theatre in all its forms. Since its inception, it has established itself as a benchmark festival in this field in the Île-de-France region.

An Ancient Art with Multiple Faces

Puppetry is one of the world's oldest arts, present in all civilizations. Marionnetik(s) aims to explore its full contemporary richness:

• String Puppets: Traditional manipulation taken to its highest level of expression
• Rod Puppets: The Japanese Bunraku technique revisited by contemporary creators
• Glove Puppets: Guignol and his modern cousins, between humor and depth
• Shadow Theatre: Light and silhouette used to create dreamlike worlds
• Paper Theatre: Origami and cut-outs used for storytelling
• Animated Objects: The most experimental creations, where any object can become a character

This diversity of techniques is one of the festival's great strengths: the same theme or story is explored by creators with radically different approaches, revealing the full richness of this art form.

A Festival for All Audiences

Marionnetik(s) places great importance on its intergenerational character. The program includes shows specifically designed for very young children (from 2 years old), creations for families, and shows for adults that demonstrate the artistic maturity of contemporary puppetry.

Local schools are active partners of the festival, with daytime performances for classes and artistic practice workshops led by the invited companies.

The Espace Michel-Simon and its Partners

The festival primarily takes place at the Espace Michel-Simon, Noisy-le-Grand's performance venue, but it also extends to the Ricardo-Bofill and des Coteaux cultural centers, as well as the city's media libraries and other cultural structures. This internal outreach allows it to reach residents in all neighborhoods of Noisy-le-Grand.

The 2025 and 2026 Editions

The 2nd edition was held from February 5 to 16, 2025, with eleven shows covering various techniques and catering to diverse audiences. The festival received an enthusiastic welcome from the public and specialized press.

The 3rd edition will take place from February 7 to 22, 2026, confirming Marionnetik(s)'s place in the cultural calendar of Seine-Saint-Denis.