Kazan Puppet Theatre Ekiyat (Jekijat), one of Russia’s largest puppet theaters, met the first audience in the new building on March 1, 2012. Ekiyat means Fairy Tale, a huge fancy castle in which Gothic, Baroque and Classic architecture are mixed. The facade is decorated with sculptures of clocks and fairytale characters. The Area – 22.5 thousand square meters. It is impressive inside as much as outside. Spacious rooms with columns, magnificent chandeliers, soft benches for relaxation, like thrones. It housed a large and small halls for 250 and 100 people, as well as cafes, play areas, shopping arcade. Stage equipped with modern sound and light equipment. This is one of the largest Russian Puppet Theatre. The construction cost about $500 million.

The new building was opened by the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and State Adviser Mintimer Shaimiev. It was on his initiative this palace was built.

The first stone in the foundation of the palace was laid Oct. 3, 2008. Tatar State Puppet Theatre, one of the oldest in the country, was in need of a new building. For a long time it was located in a former church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, which was built in the XVIII century. Troupe had to work in very cramped conditions.

Tatar State Theatre “Ekiyat” was founded in 1934 and is one of the leading puppet theaters of the Russian Federation. The theater employs about 100 people. 29 of them are actors working in Russian and Tatar languages. In the Theatre’s repertoire – more than 40 performances, which present tales of the world, the historical and contemporary themes. In the performances participate different dolls – from classic to contemporary and art nouveau. The Theatre has been a member of the International Puppet Organization UNIMA since 1974.