Festival 2025

An original and unique artistic and cultural event in the world, the Festival combines a high artistic level and a sense of conviviality for more than sixty years. Celebrating every two years the diversity of aesthetics, forms, and cultures, the Festival welcomes every edition 170,000 enthusiasts: artists, creators, professional and amateur puppeteers, regular or occasional spectators of all ages and backgrounds.

19 to 28 September 2025

Charleville-Mézières, the world capital of puppetry, will host the 23rd edition of its World Festival of Puppet Theaters from September 19 to 28, 2025. Created by Jacques Félix in 1961 and directed since 2020 by Pierre-Yves Charlois, the Festival has given its territory an exceptional reputation and has established itself throughout the world as a major meeting place for artists and those interested in this art.

Programme and booking: June 2025

For companies, the call for applications is now closed, and responses will be sent out between November and December 2024.

Festival OFF

OFF outdoor

Outdoor: The OFF de rue is organised and coordinated by the City of Charleville-Mézières. Enjoy the OFF shows in the streets of the city (Place Ducale, Place Winston Churchill, courtyard of the Médiathèque Voyelles, Theatre forecourt, Esplanade Roger Mas…) where over 70 companies from all over the world are programmed.

More information: offderue@mairie-charlevillemezieres.fr – +33 (0)3 24 32 44 40

OFF indoor

The OFF en Salle festival has been organised since 1972 by the Maison de la Culture et des Loisirs (MCL) Ma Bohème (ex-MJC Gambetta) with the Centre Socio Culturel André Dhôtel, the Centre Social Manchester and Social Animation Ronde Couture. In 2023, the OFF en Salle welcomed 40 French and foreign companies, 42 shows, 200 performances and more than 15,000 people over 10 days of programming. For all the companies, the OFF en Salle can be a springboard to recognition and revelation in the puppetry Mecca that is Charleville-Mézières.

In 2019, the FMTM and the OFF en salle have agreed on the principles of a collaboration aimed at building a bridge between the two projects. This has led to the creation of the Coup de cœur, a jury prize awarded by a panel of experts. Another prize: the Coup de cœur du OFF, the audience prize, which allows the public to vote.

More information: mcl.maboheme@orange.fr – +33(0)324333185