Museu da Marioneta

In Europe, technological development and rational thought didn’t allowed the crystallization of old practices and believes, contrasting to Asia where puppets preserve its narrative nature inherited from the period of the epic mythology.

From animated statuary of Ancient Greece to cribs with mechanical characters used by the church, from aristocratic salons to popular theatre, from literary and artistic theatre to art’s education, puppets play several roles and perform very diversified functions.

The Comedia dell’Arte represent a determinant aspect to the creation and development of puppets’ theatre popular heroes, frequently with a tone of social satire.
Every one of them has the same ancestor, Pulcinella and, most of all they have in common very particular traits: bullies and rowdies, they constantly challenge authority, and, even under constant stick beating, they escape unharmed from conflicts.
These characters are Punch & Judy (England), Guignol (France), Kasperl (Germany and Austria) that substitutes the traditional Hanswurst, Petrushka (Russia), Kasparek (Prague), Don Cristóbal (Spain) and D. Roberto (Portugal).