The biennial event was kicked off in the Iranian capital on July 22.

This year, 129 groups from outside Iran signed in for the event, out of which eleven made it to the festival.

"Today, Iran+s puppet theater is no longer unknown to the world," Secretary of the Festival Ardeshir Salehpour told presstv.com.

"After twelve successful events, our position is much better," Salehpour added.

Puppet theater has deep roots in the Iranian culture, and is considered as one of the favorite folklore arts with a variety of audience.

"Iran has an outstanding position in this art, but only during the recent years, the world has realized this," Puppet Theater Director Maryam Shoqi said.

Artists from Britain, Germany, and Switzerland received trophies for the best foreign performances.

The festival aimed at preserving Iranian traditional art, and introducing Mobarak as the symbol of Iran+s puppet art.