History of Sicilian Puppets

Discover the history of Sicilian puppets and why an Opera dei Pupi show is a magical experience to enjoy on your Sicily holiday.

The Opera dei Pupi is a particular type of puppet theatre that established itself firmly in Southern Italy. It became particularly popular in Sicily between the second half of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century.

Sicilian puppets are distinguished from other puppets due to their peculiar mechanics of manoeuvre. Many of the puppet productions consist almost entirely of knightly narratives derived largely from novels and poems.

The eighteenth-century puppets were animated from above using a thin metal rod connected to the head through a joint. The puppet would also have several wires to allow movements of the arms and legs.

In Sicily, it was in the first half of the nineteenth century when technical devices were used to transform puppet movement.

These new devices ensured the metal rod used for movement of the head was no longer connected by a joint but crossed it from the inside. This new technique also replaced the thin thread used for the animation of the right arm with a sturdy metal rod, a feature that characterises the Sicilian puppet.

These new technical devices allowed puppeteers more rapid, direct and decisive control over the puppet’s movements. This was particularly effective when it came to performing duels and fights, an aspect that played a large part in stories of chivalry.

The art form of Opera dei Pupi in Sicily has two main traditional styles that are most commonly used:

• One style can be found in Palermo, established in the capital and widespread in the western part of Sicily.
• The other style is from Catania, established around Etna and widespread in the eastern part of Sicily and Calabria.

The main differences between the puppeteering traditions can be seen in the size and weight of the puppets, along with certain mechanical aspects and the manoeuvring system.

Get in touch

If you’d like to watch a production of Opera dei Pupi in Sicily, our Italian experts can make it happen. Contact us via our online form today to find out more about our Sicily package holidays or call us at (UK) 01223 637331or (US) 347-594-5500.