Brussels rod puppetry recognised by Unesco as intangible cultural heritage
The tradition of rod puppetry in Brussels has been added to Unesco’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Brussels’ secretary of state for Heritage, Ans Persoons, announced on Tuesday.
The decision was finalised during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in New Delhi this week.
Rod puppetry, a legacy of travelling fairground theatres since the Renaissance, is preserved and reinvented at the Théâtre de Toone, a veritable conservatory of this practice and the last theatre of its kind still in operation in Brussels.
The application was initiated four years ago by urban.brussels, the Brussels administration responsible for cultural heritage, with the aim of highlighting Brussels’ identity, indigenous languages, inclusiveness and non-commercial nature.
Multicultural identity
Imported to Belgium by travelling theatre companies from Italy and Central Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, rod puppetry reflects the multicultural identity of Brussels.
In the past, puppet shows enabled illiterate adults to experience plays, operas and popular novels that would otherwise have been inaccessible to them. Still very popular in the 19th century, with several troupes performing, it has been concentrated at the Théâtre de Toone since 1963.
Its uniqueness lies in the metal rod that passes through the puppet’s head, forming two hooks at its ends. The rod is used to manipulate the puppet by moving various parts of its body. This is carried out by a team of six well-trained puppeteers, who are hidden behind a raised stage.
Zwanze humour
The repertoire, which is often parodic and improvised, combines theatre classics, popular stories and social satire in the typically Brussels spirit of “zwanze” and self-deprecation.
Brussels mayor Philippe Close said that the recognition by Unesco was “the recognition of a piece of Brussels’ soul”. “Since 1830, this unique place has kept our history alive,” he said of the Théâtre de Toone.
“We are the last representatives of this tradition and hope that the recognition will inspire others in the future”
“The rod puppet theatre connects generations, thanks to the passion of the people who continue to captivate audiences,” Close added.
Theatre director Nicolas Geal was also delighted with the recognition. “We are the last representatives of this tradition and hope that the recognition will inspire others in the future,” he said.
© BELGA PHOTO HANDOUT THEATRE DE TOONE
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