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Enjoy Puppets at the Czech-Slovak Museum

The classic Czechoslovak puppet, Kasparek

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is mounting an original exhibition, Puppetry! Suspended Imagination, which features a spectacular collection of Czechoslovak antique puppets. It will run through Sept. 29, 2007 at the museum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

This original exhibit captures 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 18th through 19th 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.

The Minnesota Sokol loaned these giant puppets

Over 100 antique and contemporary marionettes and hand puppets, graphics, and scenery will tell the tale of this long tradition. One unusual item is a set of historic puppets that were found sealed in a church wall in New York City. Visitors will especially like the replica theater wagon. In July a master puppet carver will do a hands-on workshop for puppet carvers.

For more information visit the museum's website: www.ncsml.org.