Reviving the 'Crystal Sails' Festival
The Kherson Regional Academic Puppet Theater, which relocated to Kolomyia following the full-scale invasion, is bringing back the 'Crystal Sails' festival in Lviv from November 17 to 19, 2026. This event, organized in collaboration with the Lviv Puppet Theater, promises to be a major occasion for the theatrical community. Originally launched in 1992 as an international festival for puppet theaters from twin cities, the last edition took place in 2021 in Skadovsk, a city now under occupation.
The theater's director, Viktor Havryliuk, emphasized the importance of this initiative:
"This is a statement that the theater continues to thrive. Even away from Kherson, we can revive the festival and welcome colleagues and friends who have participated in 'Crystal Sails' over the years."
The festival lineup will feature nine performances, including the premiere of "Black Rooster," a production created in 2024. Havryliuk highlighted:
"We're presenting 'Black Rooster,' a play born amid the war and staged in 2024. It’s a festival piece—heroic and deeply resonant with our current reality."
Currently, the Kherson Puppet Theater operates with just four actors, a driver, and an assistant director—a quarter of its pre-war troupe size. The company tours mainly in western Ukrainian cities, as well as in Kherson, Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Mykolaiv. Since the war began, the theater has produced four new premieres and continues rehearsals and performances for local children in Kolomyia. Havryliuk also shared:
"We are likely the only traveling puppet theater in Ukraine without a permanent home. The Kolomyia Theater has graciously hosted us for rehearsals."
The Festival’s Cultural Impact
The 'Crystal Sails' festival holds special significance in 2026 as it coincides with the 55th anniversary of the Kherson Regional Academic Puppet Theater. Havryliuk added:
"This year marks 55 years since our theater’s founding. We want to honor this milestone. The festival shows that the theater is not only surviving but also capable of touring, organizing festivals, and adapting in various ways."
Tickets for the festival performances are priced at 150 Ukrainian hryvnias and will be available at the Lviv Puppet Theater box office. The festival program will be shared on the official pages of both the Lviv Puppet Theater and the Kherson Regional Academic Puppet Theater.
Restoring the 'Crystal Sails' festival is a vital step for Ukraine’s theatrical community, especially amid the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict. It highlights the resilience and adaptability of Ukrainian artists determined to preserve their theatrical heritage. Beyond celebrating the theater’s anniversary, the festival symbolizes the revival of cultural life in Ukraine—an essential element for maintaining national identity and uplifting public morale during difficult times.