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 every February to the art of puppetry and object theater in all its forms. Since its inception, it has established itself as a benchmark festival in this field within the Île-de-France region.

An ancient art with many faces

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

• String puppets: traditional manipulation brought to its highest level of expression
• Rod puppets: the Japanese Bunraku technique revisited by contemporary creators
• Hand puppets: Guignol and his modern cousins, balancing humor and depth
• Shadow theater: using light and silhouettes to create dreamlike worlds
• Paper theater: origami and paper-cutting at the service of storytelling
• Animated objects: the most experimental creations, where any object can become a character

This diversity of techniques is one of the festival's greatest strengths: you can discover the same theme or story approached by creators with radically different styles, revealing the true depth of this art form.

A festival for all audiences

Marionnetik(s) is particularly committed to its intergenerational appeal. The program includes shows specifically designed for very young children (from age 2), family-friendly creations, and performances for adults that showcase the artistic maturity of contemporary puppetry.

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

The Espace Michel-Simon and its partners

The festival takes place primarily at the Espace Michel-Simon, a performance venue in Noisy-le-Grand, but it also reaches out to the Ricardo-Bofill and des Coteaux cultural centers, as well as libraries and other cultural venues throughout the city. This local touring approach helps reach residents in every neighborhood of Noisy-le-Grand.

Recent editions

The 2nd edition was held from February 5 to 16, 2025, featuring eleven shows covering various techniques and catering to diverse audiences. The 3rd edition took place from February 7 to 22, 2026. The 4th edition is announced for February 7 to 22, 2027, confirming the place of Marionnetik(s) in the cultural calendar of Seine-Saint-Denis.