Montréal, February 12, 2026 - The Festival international de Casteliers presents a new edition of Marionnettes en vitrines!, an exhibition trail taking over storefront windows in Outremont from February 12 to March 12, 2026. Echoing the theme of the Festival's 21st edition, the trail invites the public to discover the singular world of object theatre.
Featured this year is Théâtre de la Pire Espèce, a pioneering company in this discipline in Quebec. Through a selection of puppets, objects and emblematic set pieces, the exhibition highlights a rich artistic universe where everyday objects become powerful vehicles for meaning, storytelling and imagination.
Since its beginnings in 1999 - notably marked by its bold reinterpretation of Ubu roi, featuring military breadsticks, a stuttering teapot and a dishcloth in love with a hammer (Ubu sur la table) - Théâtre de la Pire Espèce has established itself on stages across Quebec and internationally.
Festive and accidentally erudite, the company has brought everyday objects to life through 26 original creations. The Marionnettes en vitrines! exhibition trail brings together some of these memorable and unclassifiable characters, offering the public a playful and poetic encounter in the heart of the urban landscape.
New this year: visit the trail and take part in the "Ordinary Objects, Extraordinary Stories" contest.
Guided tours of Marionnettes en vitrines! depart from Théâtre Outremont with curator Pavla Mano or cultural mediator Lynne Cooper.
Monday, March 2, 2026 | 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 4:00 p.m.
Duration: 60 minutes | Free
Participating storefronts include:
Yannick Fromagerie - Caisse Desjardins des Versants du mont Royal - Mission Santé - Boutique Citrouille - Iris - Librairie du Square - La boutique du fleuriste - Quincaillerie Home Hardware - Lanna Thaï Massage - Nettoyeur et Cordonnerie d'Outremont - Ongles GG - Ilion - Boutique scolaire Lycée - Boutique TOUT TERRAIN - Pâtisserie Alex Platel - RBC - De Bons Petits Plats - Café Navire - Groupe Avis Budget - Hôpital vétérinaire Anima-Plus Laurier - Maison internationale des arts de la marionnette (MIAM) - Théâtre Outremont - Bibliothèque Robert-Bourassa.
Festival international de Casteliers
The 21st edition of the Festival international de Casteliers celebrates the 11th art in all its forms from March 2 to 8, 2026. This major annual event dedicated to puppetry arts welcomes creations from Quebec, Canada, France, Spain, Belgium and Italy, delighting audiences from the very young to the very grown-up.
