The theatre will bring traditional water puppets to the festival. The distinctive form of Vietnamese folk theatre, dating back a millennium, is unusual in that the stage for the colourful puppets animated by unseen actors is made of water—a pond, river or swimming pool. Audiences will see fairytale scenes whose protagonists are ordinary people and mythical figures—all this accompanied by traditional folk music.

The event is expected to offer Vietnamese artists a chance to study, exchange experiences and meet foreign artists, as well as promote Vietnamese culture to more foreign friends.

The Materia Prima will take place from February 18 to 25, bringing the best performances from many countries around the world, including France, the Netherlands, Canada, Lithuania, Germany, Vietnam, Italy, Switzerland and the US.

According to organising board, the festival will show fascinating and surprising performances in which theatre is intertwined with new circus and dance theatre, and dance is juxtaposed with multimedia and forms of puppetry and mask and shadow theatre.