Kasperiade
Bild: Reinhard Wieczorek
Are you all there? Very probably but certainly not as long as Punch, Polichinelle, Vitéz Laszló, Mester Jackel, Petruschka, Karagöz, Vasilache and Kasper. The best-known puppet character in the West has a lot of different names and has left plenty of traces on cultural history. For example, the term "slapstick" derives from Mr Punch’s slapping stick.
This funny, clever, courageous hero who defies both conventions and the times is at home everywhere in Europe. It is only logical then, that in 2010 Mr Punch will serve as the ideal mediator for integrating all the many different cultures. He will be doing this all over Europe, in the Ruhr Metropolis, its twin towns and its fellow European Capital of Culture, Pécs. International puppet theatre companies will be making guest appearances, visiting schools and young people centres. Children and young people will be joining forces to work on their own Punch and Judy plays. This process will simultaneously open up the opportunity for them to learn more about the history of Europe and the puppet character in a playful manner. In addition to the "Kasperiade" a side programme will be dealing with all the different phenomena of Mr Punch in ballet, music, literature, costumes and painting. Academics and artists will be exchanging ideas and opinions about the character at a symposium. An exhibition of art from Bottrop, France and England on this droll character is planned for autumn 2010.
Events:
March 7 - 9, 2010: Opening of the Kasperiade, Bottrop
September 5 - 10, 2010: Festival Week, Bottrop
November 26, 2010: Exhibition, Bottrop
November 27 - 29, 2010: Festival Weekend, Bottrop
Project:
Dieter Wollek, Kulturamt der Stadt Bottrop (D) / Ilse Ortmann, Kulturamt der Stadt Bottrop (D) / Werner Bartelt-Brüggemeier & Maja Brüggemeier, Figurentheater SONSTWO, Bottrop (D)
Artists:
Zoltán Debreczeny, Veszprém (H) / Nick Kowalski, Blackpool (GB) / Silviane Léger, Tourcoing (F) / Reinhard Wieczorek, Bottrop (D)
Partner:
Dr. Werner Schäfke, Museumsleiter, Kölnisches Stadtmuseum, Köln (D) / Andrea Szélkely, Direktor Puppentheater Kabóca, Veszprém (H) / Istanbul2010 (TR) / Schule-am-Tetraeder, Bottrop (D) / Schule in Blackpool (GB)
Volksbank Kirchhellen eG, Bottrop