National Day of Puppetry 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

National Day of Puppetry is observed annually on the fourth Saturday of April, which this year occurs on April 22. Puppetry is one of the earliest forms of visual entertainment and an ancient art. Puppetry was confined to the theatre until the turn of the 20th century, when it began to penetrate the mainstream media. Mastering puppetry is difficult, and puppeteers keep their techniques a secret.

The background of National Day of Puppetry

Eugene Lambert was a man with a passion for puppetry and a vision. He owned the Lambert Puppet Theatre in Monkstown, Dublin, and was known as the “father of Irish puppetry.” His first puppet was constructed when he was only eight years old, and he became an expert ventriloquist during his teenage years. The majority of contemporary puppetry can be traced to Lambert’s contributions.

Prior to the twentieth century, puppets were a mystery. No one knew how the puppets performed so flawlessly, mystifying and entertaining the audiences. This changed when certain puppeteers, notably Tony Sarg, began divulging the secrets behind puppets and sharing information about puppeteers widely. 1937 saw the formation of the Puppeteers of America as a result. Puppets continue to hold an unrivalled position in the entertainment industry in the present day. They remain a fixture in theatre, stage performances, and films, and even memes.

Since 1999, the National Day of Puppetry has been celebrated annually on the fourth Saturday of April. The Puppeteers of America spearheads and organises this day. Carol Fijan pitched the concept of a yearly celebration to a presidents’ guild at one of the Puppeteers of America’s festivals. She envisioned a future in which puppets would adorn every street and disseminate happiness through their lively antics.

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NATIONAL DAY OF PUPPETRY ACTIVITIES

Observe a puppet performance.

Check your local area for puppet-based events and performances. It is an experience that everyone appreciates.

Make your own marionette

Discover a DIY project on Pinterest or any other blog. Learn how to make your own marionette!

Create your own marionette performance

Puppet show creation is an excellent activity, particularly for children. This enjoyable and educational activity is open to the participation of children and their companions.

Popular types of puppets include the following:

Finger puppets are simple to create and are moved by placing them on the finger.

A step up from finger puppets, a sock puppet is worn as a glove and animated by moving the character’s jaw with the forefinger.

Similar to a sock puppet, but controlled with all digits.

A puppet is revealed when a cone with a rod is raised, unveiling it.

A puppet’s limbs and legs are attached to a string that is used to move the puppet.

NATIONAL DAY OF PUPPETRY DATES