On April 18-23, 1998, the 18th edition of the International Festival of Puppet Theaters took place, under the new name of the International Festival of Puppetry Art.

For the first time, the festival was a competition. 31 theaters from 13 countries around the world participated in it: Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, the Czech Republic, France, Spain, Japan, Germany, Russia, Tunisia, Hungary, Great Britain and Poland.

Additional events: Championships and literary meetings with Kazimierz Braun and Olga Tokarczuk.