If puppets mean no more than "Pinocchio" to you, or you're just looking for something interesting to do with the kids this weekend, the latest installment in Prague's never-ending puppet festivals is worth a visit. This one brings together professional and amateur puppeteers with an eye toward reinstating puppet theater to its once-prestigious seniority, glory and most importantly, good family fun.

"Not many forms of theater allow for professional and amateur artists to work side-by-side at an international festival," says producer Kateřina Cejková. "We are proud that we offer this opportunity."

Indeed, the festival will bring together artists from all over the Czech Republic, as well as Hungary, Germany and Slovakia. They will be showcasing the best of their work, as screened and selected by Nina Maliková, director of the Czech chapter of UNIMA (Union Internationale de la Marionette).

The history of Czech puppet theater goes back to pre-medieval times, when puppets were used mostly for rituals. In medieval times, finger puppets made an appearance and started a trend of comedic entertaining performances at village markets and fairs. The 17th century saw foreign puppeteers from the Netherlands, Germany and England come to this region, and by the 18th century Czech puppeteers were touring the country as well. Puppet design and manufacture became a major cottage industry, with elaborate costumes and set designs. Formal puppet theater made its debut in the second half of the 19th century, with large crowds packing the theaters.

The decline of puppet theater came with the advent of more-sophisticated forms of entertainment. Nowadays, the notion persists that it's minor entertainment for children — a misperception, according to Maliková. "Puppet theater is not just about old stories and fairy tales," she says. "Today's puppet theater is modern in every aspect — dramaturgy, mise-en-scene and the direction. There is contemporary relevance and interest as well as old favorites."