The Mind Creative March 2014
During the 16th century, the art of puppetry spread across
countries like Germany, Austria, France, Czechoslovakia,
Netherlands, Denmark and Russia. Germany and Austria have a
very rich tradition in puppetry. In fact, in 1855, the composer,
poet and painter Franz Pocci wrote 40 operas specifically for his
Munich Marionette Theatre. Similar rich traditions can also be
traced in the countries mentioned above. France had a dark period
for puppetry during the French revolution, when puppeteers were
imprisoned if their puppet plays had even the remote traces of
political criticisms.
Contemporary Chezk puppet
Courtesy: Nori Sawa Theter
Contemporary Russian puppet
Photo: Ivan Secretarev
Belgian rod puppets
Courtesy: Jacques Renier
12