Following the outstanding success of last year’s inaugural festival, which brought an abundance of joy, Puppet Theatre Nis is proud to announce the Second International Festival of Theatre for Children and Youth The Smile of Nis, taking place from 19 to 24 October 2026.

Our theatre opens its doors to artists from Russia, the United States, Bulgaria, the Republic of Srpska, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia, bringing us the magic of theatre from around the world. Over six festival days, thirteen carefully selected productions will showcase a rich variety of theatrical forms, ranging from traditional puppet theatre, drama and combined productions to shadow theatre and lively puppet-and-dance performances. While some productions feature powerful dramatic performances, others utilise non-verbal techniques which demonstrate that movement, dance and the magic of puppetry constitute a universal language understood by all. The festival takes us on a journey through famous, timeless fairy tales and folk stories, beloved classics, and contemporary dramatic works and stage adaptations.

The productions Uncle Fyodor, The Dog and the Cat, Heidi, The Wizard of Oz, The Forest of the Witch, Beauty and the Beast, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Vanilla Fairy, Little Red Riding Hood, The Nameless Princess and the Scarecrow, The Little Mermaid, All Fours, The Goat and the Hedgehog and Tesla transcend boundaries through play and art, creating memories to be cherished for a lifetime.

Beyond the magic on stage, the festival also offers a rich Show Programme. Our youngest visitors can look forward to exciting puppet-making workshops, where, with guidance from our puppet designer Dragana Breza, they will be creating crowns for princes and princesses, fairy flower crowns, and original masks for carnivals and fancy-dress parties. They will also have the opportunity to meet the authors of their favourite stories and poems, Rusomir Arsic and Vlasta N. Cenic. A particular highlight of the festival will be a workshop devoted to Karagoz, the traditional Turkish shadow theatre, in which artist Ayhan Hulagu will reveal the secrets of this fascinating theatrical art form.

The festival will also sparkle with joy and excitement through its Show Programme, featuring our young performers and emerging artists! The opening and closing ceremonies will be enlivened by the wonderful voices of the children’s choir Magical Note, who will perform the festival anthem The Smile of Nis, along with several other songs. At the closing ceremony and awards presentation, students from the acting school Theatre of Comedy and Drama will captivate the audience with their energy and talent, presenting a series of exciting performances. Winners of our renowned May Song festival will also perform their song, reminding us why Nis is a city of song and youth.

Welcome to a place where children of all ages dream together! Share the joy with us and take your brightest smile with you!