National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

This original exhibit captured the magic of the timeless art form of puppetry. From traveling troupes to professional theaters, the history of puppetry is found in the Czech and Slovak lands. From the late 18^th through 19^th centuries, puppetry was the only form of theater that traveled and performed in small villages. Puppetry perpetuated the Czech language and folk traditions, helped give rise to national awareness, and sometimes was even used to mock government authorities. These early traditions gave rise to puppetry as a legitimate professional art form in the Czech and Slovak lands today.

Visitors had the opportunity to be immersed in the spellbinding stories of the most renowned puppet carvers and puppeteers in the world as they meet Kašpárek, the clown puppet that saved the Czech language. On display was the set of historic puppets found sealed in a church wall in New York City. Also featured was the story of Josef Skupa and his famous puppets "Spejbl and Hurvínek" who transformed puppetry in the 20^th century. More than 100 antique and contemporary marionettes and hand puppets, graphics, and scenery helped tell the tale of this long tradition.

The hit of the show was a replica Theatre Wagon like those used by traveling puppeteer troupes. Adults and children alike were able to try their hand at putting on an actual puppet show with marionettes and puppets on this charming stage. The exhibit closed September 29, 2007.

	Logo for Puppetry! Suspended Imagination.
	Vít Horejš, Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre.
	Kašpárek – This Kašpárek is from the set of the early puppeteer, Tomáš Dubský . It was carved by woodcarver Slajer in 1917. Kasparek is among the most famous of puppet characters. He has been known by many different names throughout the ages, but his personality has crossed boarders. Mischievous at times, he often was used by puppeteers in the 19^th century to poke fun at the Austro-Hungarian Empire. On loan from the Museum of Puppets in Chrudim, Czech Republic. Modern Kašpárek – Modern puppet making has evolved into a contemporary art form, seen here in this modern adaptation of Kašpárek. The head was created by Emily Wilson and composite body by Michelle Beshaw for The History of Queen Esther, of King Ahasverus & of the Haughty Haman, The Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre at Port Washington, 2001. On loan from Vít Horejš, The Czechoslovak American Marionette Theatre
	Spejbl – This replica from the Theater Spejbla and Hurvínka (Divadlo Spejbla a Hurvínka) was created in 1976 and replaced original marionettes which had burned in a fire in 1975. The creation of the wood carver Karel Nosek was based on the 1920 drawings by famous puppeteer Professor Josef Skupa. Spejbl was created to provide a comic element to the puppet shows. Skupa created the first modern puppet theater in 1930. Skupa worked for many years from his Plzen theater before moving it to Prague. On loan from the Museum of Puppets in Chrudim, Czech Republic.
	Hurvínek - This replica from the Theater Spejbla and Hurvínka (Divadlo Spejbla a Hurvínka) was created in 1976 and replaced original marionettes which had burned in a fire in 1975. In 1926 the original Hurvínek was created to partner with Spejbl, becoming one of the most famous puppet duos of all time. On loan from the Museum of Puppets in Chrudim, Czech Republic.
	Horse (Kun)- a marionette from the set of Tomáš Dubský, woodcarver J. Soukup, 1917. Tomáš Dubský was born into the craft of puppeteering. He was descended from the famous Kopecký’s and Dubský’s puppeteering families. At age 10 he began performing with his father. It was said that he would give up to 240 performances in a year. On loan from the Museum of Puppets in Chrudim, Czech Republic.
	Old Man Know-all (Ded Vševed), – from the Central Puppet Theater Prague from the play A Tale of Floater-Boy (Plavácek) 1981. Puppet created by Ivan Antoš, 1981. This state run theater of the communist era was created to influence other puppeteers to the ways of communism. On loan from the Museum of Puppets in Chrudim, Czech Republic.
	King – from the play "A Tale from the Suitcase" (Pohádka z kufru). It was staged in The East Bohemian Puppet Theatre Dragon in Hradec Kralove (VCLD Drak Hradec Králové) in 1964. The marionette was created by František Vítek, 1964. On loan from the Museum of Puppets in Chrudim, Czech Republic.
	Cinderella’s Step-Sister – From the play "Cinderella" (O Popelce) . It was staged in The East Bohemian Puppet Theatre Dragon in Hradec Kralove (VCLD Drak Hradec Králové) in 1982. Puppet created by František Vítek, 1982. On loan from the Museum of Puppets in Chrudim, Czech Republic.
	Wizard – So-called Sokol puppets used in amateur puppet performances were very popular in the early 20^th century. Czech immigrants brought their love of puppetry with them when they immigrated to the United States. For many this was closely associated with the active Sokol groups within the Czech communities. On loan from Sokol Greater Cleveland.
	Monk – Puppet shows were performed at Jan Hus Presbyterian Church in the early part of the 20^th century. It is believed that the former pastor Vincent Písek, a Czech immigrant himself, began the tradition and may have even brought the puppets to the United States himself. After the second world war they fell into disuse and were subsequently locked away in an attic until they were uncovered by Vít Horejš, founder of The Czechoslovak Marionette Theatre. On loan from Jan Hus Presbyterian Church.