A puppet show “Esma Starts a Car”, prepared in partnership with the Union of the National Professional Puppet Theatres of Georgia LEPL has been shown within the framework of the Tbilisi International Book Festival, at the initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office. 

The puppet show for children aged 6-10, directed by Elene Matskhonashvili, winner of the Duruji Theater Award, and written by playwright Alex Chighvinadze, winner of the Saba Literary Prize, has been part of the repertoire of Akhaltsikhe Professional State Puppet Theater since May 8, 2022.  

“Esma Starts a Car” is a puppet show for girls and boys who dream, break stereotypes on the path to equality, and want to change the world and make it a better place for all and for their families, who are not afraid of adventures and are proud of their children regardless of their gender. At the same time, it is a story of true friendship, devotion and support that will make adolescents think about many things and make their parents to flash back to their childhood. 

The puppet show was prepared within the frames of the programme “Addressing Gender-Biased Sex Selection and Related Harmful Practices in the South Caucasus” being implemented under the auspices of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and with the support of the European Union.