Sergei Obraztsov, the legendary puppeteer and founder of the State Central Puppet Theater of Moscow, would have turned 100 in July. He is remembered and respected among puppeteers and puppet- show lovers throughout the world, and his production "An Extraordinary Concert" received a Guinness Book of World Records listing for having been shown in 76 countries.

To celebrate the anniversary of his birthday, the state puppet theater he founded will play host to 56 theater troupes, including 26 from Russia and eight from the C.I.S., for the First International Festival of Puppet Theaters.

The list of troupes expected to arrive includes well-known names such as the Bread and Puppet Theater of Vermont, the Royal Theater of Toon (Belgium), the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater (Vietnam) and famed British puppet characters Punch and Judy and their Italian counterpart, Pulcinella, who can trace his origin back to the Middle Ages.

The festival, which includes street shows, will present a total of some 100 productions for children and adults with every conceivable type of puppets: hand puppets, marionettes, mechanical puppets and string puppets. The Setebello club, which is inside the Obraztsov Theater, will host puppet cabaret shows.

The festival runs from Sept. 14-23 in eight locations throughout the city. It goes without saying that the State Central Puppet Theater, founded by Obraztsov in 1931, will be the festival's primary location. Organizers estimate that the festival will attract more than 30,000 spectators, two-thirds of whom will likely be children.

What: Puppet Festival.
Where: Sergei Obraztsov State Central Puppet Theater.
3 Sadovaya-Samotyochnaya Ul. (Eight locations).
Metro: Tsvetnoi Bulvar.
Dates: Sept. 14-23.
Tel: 299-3310.