This event was an important step in the development of inclusive art in Kazakhstan, designed to give children with special needs bright emotions, the joy of communicating with art and an unforgettable experience of puppet and theatrical magic.

The project was implemented as a result of cooperation between the theater and the Dara Charitable Foundation, aimed at supporting inclusive initiatives and expanding access to art for children with special needs. Earlier, employees of several Kazakhstani theaters, including the Almaty State Puppet Theater, were trained in creating audio descriptions, organized by the Dara Foundation as part of the Opening the World project with the participation of Gala Global Group. This allowed the puppet theater staff to independently develop an audio description, making the production "The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats" accessible to blind and visually impaired viewers.

Audio description is a verbal description of the visual elements of the performance, which are transmitted through headphones to blind viewers. During the performance, the audio descriptor describes what is happening on stage between the characters' lines, without overlapping their voices. This helps children with visual impairments to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the theater and experience the magic of the stage action.

“For the Almaty Puppet Theater, this performance is not only a new stage in development, but also a significant contribution to the theater’s social mission. For 90 years of its history, it has invariably strived for innovation and expanding the boundaries of art. Today, opening the doors to the magical world of puppets for every child, the theater confirms its desire to be a place for inspiration,” - noted Almat Amangeldi, director of the Puppet Theater.

The familiar fairy tale “The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats” comes to life in the puppet theater in a vibrant production with expressive puppet characters and exciting musical accompaniment. Courage and family love become the basis of a fascinating performance. Audio description created a complete immersion effect for children with visual impairments.

The first viewers of the performance were students of specialized boarding school No. 4 in Almaty, the oldest educational institution in Kazakhstan that educates blind and visually impaired children. Before the screening, they were given a tour of the theater, where they were able to get acquainted with the puppets, props and scenery.

“A tour and tactile acquaintance with the theater helps blind children better understand what is happening on stage. This gave them the opportunity to discuss the performance on an equal footing with other viewers. We hope that the successful experience of the puppet theater will inspire other theaters in Kazakhstan to introduce inclusive practices and further develop accessible art,” – shared Maral Sheshembekova, Director of Projects and Programs of the Dara Foundation.