TEHRAN The 5th Puppet Show Festival starts today in Tehran. It is being sponsored by the Center for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (CIDCYA).

The four-day festival is being held in the Center for Theater and Puppet Shows and four CIDCYA art and cultural centers in Tehran. Some 20 groups from 17 provinces are participating. The sponsors aim to use the festival to expand the artistic activities of CIDCYA, discover young talents, and encourage and support those interested in artistic works.

A celebration of dolls is being held on the sidelines of the festival. Puppets welcome children in the halls.

Davoud Kianian, Yadollah Vafadari, and Ali-Akbar Halimi are on the jury. Winners wil be announced on Feb. 28.