A World Puppetry Day retrospective
Gary Friedman 
A look into our 'World Puppetry Day' 2023
Puppetry Today
Puppetry is my art form! It has been around for centuries, and while its popularity may have waned in recent times, it remains an important tool for political and social commentary. In our 21st century, where freedom of speech is often under threat, puppetry allows artists to express themselves in a way that can be both humorous and poignant, without fear of persecution in most countries. In this article, we will explore why puppetry is of great political and social importance in our world today.
Puppetry as a form of protest
One of the key reasons why puppetry is important is that it can be used as a powerful tool for protest. I have experienced this personally throughout my years of living in Apartheid South Africa in the seventies, eighties and nineties, when this was my only weapon to fight back.
Puppets are able to convey a message in a way that is both subtle and direct, and they can be used to comment on a wide range of political and social issues. For example, puppetry has been used to protest against war, nuclear weapons, and political corruption.
In many countries, freedom of speech is under threat, and artists who speak out against the government or other powerful entities can and have faced severe consequences. I can name so many countries today, where this is still the case. However, puppetry still allows artists to express themselves without fear of persecution in most societies, as their puppets can be seen as characters in a performance rather than representing the artist's own personal views. This means that puppeteers can still to get away with saying things that might otherwise be censored.
Puppetry as a way of connecting with audiences
Another reason why puppetry is important is that it is an excellent way of connecting with audiences. Puppets are able to create an emotional connection with viewers, and they can be used to tell stories that resonate with people from all walks of life. These shows can be performed in public spaces, such as parks and town squares, which means that they can reach a much wider audience than other forms of theatre.
Furthermore, puppetry is an art form that can be appreciated by people of all ages. Children, in particular, are drawn to puppets, and puppet shows can be used as an educational tool to teach young people about both important social and political issues.
Puppetry as a way of preserving cultural heritage
Puppetry is an art form that has been passed down from generation to generation in many cultures. Preserving puppetry traditions also helps to promote cultural and linguistic diversity. By showcasing puppetry from different cultures, we are able to celebrate the rich diversity of human experience and promote greater understanding between different communities.
Conclusion
In today’s world, puppetry is an art form that is of great political and social importance. It allows artists to protest against social and political issues in a way that is both powerful and safe, it is an excellent way of connecting with audiences, and it helps to preserve important aspects of our cultural heritage. For these reasons, on this ‘World Puppetry Day’ we salute our artists, who continue to support and celebrate the importance of puppetry in our world.
Other news
‘Introduction to Puppetry’ Course
With only ten days of our special introductory offer left, before our ‘Introduction to Puppetry’ course increases from the current discounted price of US $99, to our normal price of US $199, it is a final opportunity to grab the course now for a great price discount, which will give you a taste of what puppetry is all about and an understanding of ‘why such a fuss’!. Follow the link to grab a free lesson and find out more about this course here!
'World of Paper' Workshop in Northern Australia
We are also running a three-day LIVE ‘World of Paper’ workshop at the at the Corrugated Iron Youth Arts, Nightcliff Community Centre in Darwin, Australia on 9, 10 & 11 May 2023 in collaboration with the NIGHTCLIFF SEABREEZE FESTIVAL.
This professional development workshop is aimed at Educators, Therapists, Artists and Community Leaders.
The workshop is a mindfulness practice, that uses the media of brown paper and everyday found objects, as tools to sharpen focus and become more present in the moment. This simple practice can be done by anyone, anywhere, and requires nothing more than a sheet of paper, some objects and a willingness to engage in ‘play’. There are a limited few scholarships available for this workshop! Check the website for more details.. If you would like more information & videos, you can find this on our website.
Puppetry Secrets Revealed
We still have the Hans Jurgen Fettig short “Puppetry Secrets Revealed” on our Puppetry Shorts for only US $14.99 - click the link!
3D Stop Motion Animation course
Our 3D Stop Motion Animation course is scheduled to be launched at the end of May 2023. It is an in-depth look into the art of Stop Motion for beginners, puppeteers and explorers. Reserve your place here!
Categories: courses, education, entertainment, Gary Friedman, glove puppet, introduction to puppetry, object theatre, paper puppetry, puppet, puppet theatre, Puppetry Films, puppetry workshops, religious roots, shamanistic, WorldPuppetryDay