Naivní divadlo

Naivní divadlo Liberec is one of the oldest and best-known puppet theatres in the Czech Republic, operating in Liberec since 1949. Despite several name changes over the decades, it has carried its current name since 1968 and remains a cultural landmark of the city, particularly recognized for its work in theatre for children and young audiences.

How was the theatre founded?

The theatre was established on 3 November 1949 as one of five branches of the Central Puppet Theatre in Prague. Its first director was Jiří Filipi, who had previously led an amateur puppet company active since 1948 under the Severočeské konzumní družstvo (North Bohemian Consumer Cooperative) in Liberec. That amateur group effectively became the seed from which the professional institution grew into one of the region's most significant puppet theatres.

The theatre opened its program with a production of "Pohádka o zlaté rybce" ("The Tale of the Golden Fish"), based on the story by Alexander Pushkin. Within its first year, four more productions were staged, allowing for regular children's performances in Liberec itself as well as touring shows across the wider region.

Where does the name come from?

The theatre's name changed several times as Czech puppet theatre institutions were reorganized. It initially operated as Ústřední loutkové divadlo (Central Puppet Theatre), then was renamed Krajská loutková scéna (Regional Puppet Stage). From 1961 it was known as Severočeské loutkové divadlo (North Bohemian Puppet Theatre), before adopting its present name, Naivní divadlo — literally "Naive Theatre" — in 1968. The name reflects an aesthetic built around simple, unpretentious stagecraft, which has since become a defining trait of the theatre's repertoire.

Who is the theatre for?

Children remain the theatre's primary audience, and most premieres are built around classic fairy tales and folk motifs, staged through a distinctive contemporary style that blends puppetry, live actors, and inventive stage design. The repertoire is not limited to young audiences, however — the theatre also produces shows aimed at adults, expanding puppet theatre beyond its traditional association with entertainment for the youngest viewers alone.

What is its international standing?

Naivní divadlo has long been a regular guest at prestigious theatre festivals both in the Czech Republic and abroad. The ensemble tours extensively across Europe, but its reach extends much further: audiences in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United States, Canada, Mexico, India, Israel, South Korea, and Pakistan have all seen productions from this Liberec-based stage. That scale of international touring makes it one of the most widely traveled Czech puppet theatres.

What should visitors know before going?

The theatre is located in central Liberec and remains an active, working stage with an ongoing repertoire — it is not a museum or a historical site open only for sightseeing, but a living cultural institution. Visitors can expect a regular schedule of performances for different age groups, and the theatre's history, stretching back to the late 1940s, makes it one of the more enduring fixtures on the cultural map of northern Bohemia.

Frequently asked questions

When was Naivní divadlo founded? The theatre was founded on 3 November 1949 as a branch of the Central Puppet Theatre in Prague.

Where does the name Naivní divadlo come from? The theatre adopted its current name in 1968, following earlier name changes tied to reorganizations of Czech puppet theatre institutions.

Are the performances only for children? No — while children remain the main audience, the theatre also stages productions aimed at adults.

Does the theatre perform abroad? Yes, Naivní divadlo regularly tours festivals across Europe and has performed on tours throughout Asia and the Americas.