When it comes to puppets, people can be categorized into one of two camps. They either think that puppets are cool and magical, or they think that puppets are kind of creepy.

If you fall into the latter camp, then World Puppetry Day is probably not the day you’re going to want to celebrate. For everyone else, this is a holiday that falls on March 21st and celebrates the world of puppetry. This is a day to watch puppets, use puppets in performances, and talk about puppets.

The History of World Puppetry Day

Puppetry is an art form that dates back thousands of years. Historians believe that it originated approximately 4,000 years ago. Some historians believe that it might have even predated acting by actors. What historians don’t know is exactly where it originated.

Some historians believe it began in Africa, while others claim that it originated in Asia. Regardless of where it started, this form of theater has entertained people for a long time.

World Puppetry Day is a holiday with a clearer history than the general art of puppetry. This day was proposed by Javad Zolfaghari, a puppet theater artist from Iran. He brought the proposal to create a holiday for puppetry at the XVIII Congress of the Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA) in Magdeburg.

In 2002, at the International Meeting of UNIMA in Atlanta, the date of the celebration was decided upon. The first celebration would be on March 20th, 2003. It has been observed every year since.

Observing World Puppetry Day

All around the world, this holiday is observed with puppet festivals, puppet making, and puppet shows. People can donate money to various puppet organizations or even try their hand at making their own puppets. People can also spread the word about this holiday online using the hashtag #WorldPuppetryDay.