Belgium celebrates the inclusion of the Brussels’ rod puppets tradition in UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, an initiative supported by Urban and the Toone Royal Theatre.
The inclusion was made official at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which took place from 9 to 14 December 2025 in New Delhi.
This international recognition seals a lively, popular artistic practice which is deeply ingrained in the history of Brussels.
The Brussels rod puppet tradition can be traced back to the traveling fairground theatres from the Renaissance and is now preserved and reinterpreted in the Toone Royal Theatre, a genuine conservatory of this practice as well as the last theatre of its kind still in operation in Brussels.
A lively and inclusive tradition
The rod puppets are being operated by a team of six puppeteers and a ringmaster, a technique requiring exacting professional expertise that is passed on orally and through gesture. The repertoire, which is often parodic and improvised, blends theatre classics, folk tales and social satire, in a typical Brussels spirit of self-mockery (also referred to as “zwanze”).
The Toone Royal Theatre plays an essential role in transgenerational inheritance, the promotion of local languages and dialect and the advancement of cultural diversity. Every year, the theatre welcomes thousands of spectators of all ages and backgrounds and it trains new puppeteers in a non-formal, open-minded and inclusive setting.
A contribution to sustainable development
The UNESCO listing also reflects the rod puppeteers commitment to sustainable development through the use of recycled materials, energy-efficient craftsmanship, and raising awareness for environmental and social issues by means of their shows and workshops.
A collective effort
Although the puppeteer community might not be very large, it has shown a real commitment and resilience over time.
This nomination is the result of a participatory process, coordinated by Urban, and involving puppeteers, craftspeople, folklore association, cultural institutions and the public. It is grounded on concrete preservation measures, inventories that have been recognized on a regional and community level, as well as a dynamic of local and international cooperation.
Belgium thanks the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Committee for this distinction, which not only honours a unique form of artistic expression, but also the values of freedom, creativity and dialogue embodied by this tradition.
Watch the video with the expression of gratitude of the Toone Royal Theatre team
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Did you know?
The Royal Theater of Toone collection included in the Brussels movable heritage inventory
Thanks to this inventory, you can discover online a large part of the Royal Theater of Toone collection, representative of this Brussels tradition.
→ Find out more
The Toone Royal Theatre awarded the European Heritage Label
The Royal Theatre Toone was awarded the European Heritage Label in April 2024. The European Commission awarded the label to the Théâtre Royal de Toone in Brussels, in recognition of the theatre's role in European history and culture.
