June 13, 2025
"Aran" Puppet Theatre presents marionette opera "Rumi" at Chekhov Festival
The "Aran" Puppet Theatre has presented the marionette opera "Rumi" at the Chekhov Festival. The music was composed by Iranian composer Behzad Abdi, with libretto by puppet theatre director Behrouz Gharibpour. The captivating performance is staged in Persian.
Behrouz Gharibpour's acclaimed production "Rumi" tells the story of the spiritual journey of the 13th‑century Sufi mystic poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi, venerated as a saint in both Iran and Turkey. He is the author of thousands of poems and the "Masnavi" (also known as the "Quran of Persian literature"). The story of Rumi's fateful encounters with the elder Attar and the poet Shams Tabrizi – his teacher and eternal source of inspiration – is brought to life on stage by "singing" puppets, each masterfully manipulated by several puppeteers. According to the director, Rumi's universe encompasses the whole of human nature, the entire history of creation, philosophy, future, past and present. In his works, he provides answers to all the questions that might arise in the human mind.
Behrouz Gharibpour is an Iranian director and a pioneer of traditional Persian puppet theatre. He has conducted research into and restoration of Iranian marionette theatre from the Qajar era.
The "Aran" Puppet Theatre is a leading master of this extraordinary art form in Iran, captivating audiences with large‑scale productions featuring over a hundred puppets, with set designs weighing more than seven tonnes.