The 4 cities where you can see the Sicilian puppets show

Among the Sicilian typical things, the Sicilian puppets have a place of honor. Moved by skilled puppeteers with little auctions, the stories of the two great antagonists, Orlando and Rinaldo, take place on the small scene. This is Opera dei Pupi.

Name that immediately evokes images of the past: small countries, shows in the square, shouting of people, dusty roads. In fact, even today, several pupari (puppeteers) have kept the tradition alive. Especially in these four cities.

• Palermo. In Museo internazionale delle marionette Antonio Pasqualino and in Museo etnografico siciliano Giuseppe Pitrè, you can admire some of the most important collections of Sicilian puppets. The tradition of Opera dei Pupi is kept alive, in particular, by Cuticchio family.
• Catania. Compagnia dei fratelli Napoli is the most important Sicilian puppets company of this city. To this family is dedicated the Museo e teatro dei pupi Fratelli Napoli, a puppets museum. Others cities in the province of Catania where you can find Sicilian puppets museums are Acireale, Giarre, Caltagirone and Randazzo.
• Messina. Gargano is one of the most important families of puppeteers in Messina, perhaps among the last.
• Syracuse. The art of Sicilian puppets in Syracuse is related to families that, today, are real legends of Opera dei Pupi: Puzzo family, Vaccaro-Mauceri family, Puglisi family.

Now that you know where to go, there is a mistake that you should not commit. Don’t’ think that Sicilia puppets are just for children: the adventures of Orlando and Rinaldo will impassion even you.

Image source: Flickr.com/photos/25393766@N00