The oldest Czech picture featuring a puppet dates from 1590, however puppetry became part of Czech
tradition in the 1700's when Czech puppeteers roamed Central Europe to tell stories and entertain crowds.
During the 18th century, Czech marionette-making and puppetry developed into a revered art form. Much care
and detail went into the faces of Czech puppets created during this Baroque period, bringing Czech puppetry to
new levels of sophistication. Puppets and marionettes were carved from wood and given the most
expression-free faces possible. It was up to the puppeteer to infuse life and feeling into the puppet by
manipulating the puppet's movement. The performances were based on classical stories such as Faust, Don
Giovanni or historical Czech plays. In the eighteenth century, operas were specifically composed for
marionettes.
A tradition and family-run business. Not only was puppetry taught and puppet theater scripts passed from
father to son, but the puppets themselves were handed down through generations. Puppets or marionettes from
the 1800's command significant price tags, as this might be considered Czech puppetry's "golden age," and
surviving examples of Baroque-era puppets are rare. Puppetry declined somewhat in the 19th century, but
underwent revival in the 20th century, when theaters dedicated solely to puppetry were established. Puppet
theater was shown indifference by the country's censors during the Austrian Empire and was used at an outlet
for political dissent. Thus, puppetry also became a patriotic art form and some puppeteers became national
heroes or "revolutionaries."
Czech marionettes are complex. They are hand carved, usually using lime wood, and have a sturdy, central rod
which extends up through the body into the head. This rod and strings attached to the hands, arms and legs
control the movements of the puppet. Sometimes strings are used to control a movable mouth, eyes or ears.
These require more skilled manipulation. Some Czech marionettes have no central rod but have strings
attached to the head, shoulders and back. These are the most difficult marionettes to manipulate.
Puppetry and marionette theatre is still very much alive and well throughout the world. And today the Czech
Republic continues to be a leader largely due to Miroslav Trejtnar, an acknowledged master puppeteer of
traditional Czech marionettes. Trejtnar is one of few remaining artists and teachers who design and construct
traditional Czech marionettes.. Puppeteers throughout the world travel to Prague to work with and learn from
him. Every year, Trejtnar works with students on a puppet creation and performance project called Teatrotoc.
Below are links to more information on Czech marionettes.
http://teatrotoc.eu/historyenglish.html
http://www.czechmarionettes.com
http://www.puppetsinprague.eu/links.html
http://www.marionety.com/index.php?jazyk=en
http://blog.czechmarionettes.com/marionettes-blog/marionettes-from-the-heart-of-europe/
Master puppeteer and teacher
of puppetry, Miroslav Trejtnar
at work in his studio in Prague,
Czech Republic
of puppetry, Miroslav Trejtnar
at work in his studio in Prague,
Czech Republic
| The Czech Republic has a long history of puppetry, puppet-making, and marionettes. |
Puppet
Theatre
Theatre
| Scroll down to view puppet show at Czech Cultural Center |
| Getting acquainted with the puppets after the show |
| Gretchen Obrovac, Princess, with the Princess Puppet |
| Cast members Heidi Vencl, J J Vencl, & Brenda Nakonecznyj |
| An audience member tries his hand at puppeteering |
| Photos from "The Princess Bride" Puppet Play May 8, 2010 Thanks to Joseph Bachna |
| Julie Meyer& Marty Lange display their counterpart puppets |
| Up close with the puppets after the show |
| Sokol Greater Cleveland's 100 year old Czech puppets |
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Demonstration of vintage Sokol Puppets March 25th Czech Cultural Center Museum Bohemian National Hall following Sunday dinner |
