Puppet exhibitions in Georgia. Visit Tbilisi Tinatin Tumanishvili Puppet Museum.

Tbilisi Tumanishvili Puppet Museum

At the initiative of the children's writer and educator Tinatin Tumanishvili, the Children's Toy Museum was founded in 1937 on Atarbegov Street in the premises of a kindergarten.

The museum was based on Tinatin Tumanishvili's rich collection of dolls and toys, as well as family objects and the library which she had donated to the state.

In 1958, the museum moved to the Palace of Pioneers, and in 1986 it settled in the most beautiful area of Tbilisi, in the building on Shavteli Street. In 2012, due to the rehabilitation work on the city's historic wall, the museum building was demolished and the exhibits were temporarily moved to the Palace of Students.

Tinatin Tumanishvili laid the foundations of the national character Dedopal puppet and Georgian mechanical toy, which is still one of the important and leading themes of the museum. The museum was at one time supported by such figures of art, scientists and public figures as L. Gudnashvili, S. Akhvlediani, V. Sidamon-Eristavi, M. Toidze, U. Japaridze, N. Muskhelishvili, I. Vekua, G. Chubinashvili, S. Kaukhchishvili, D. Uznadze, S. Janashia, V. Bardavelidze, E. Kharadze, Sh. Dadiani, I. Grishashvili, L. Kiacheli and other prominent members of society.

A special place in the museum`s collection belongs to items acquired from over 40 countries as well as original exhibits and items donated to the museum by charity.

The museum has collections of mechanical (both European and Georgian) toys, author dolls, including flamenco dancers, Indian chief and Japanese ladies, heroes of Georgian fairy tales and literary works, dancers, as well as various toys, antique furniture, books, samples of fine and applied art, a rare collection of tapestries and others.