The first international puppetry festival in Viet Nam opened yesterday evening in Ha Noi’s Opera House with two impressive performances by local and Belgian puppeteers.
The “Story of To He” by the Viet Nam National Puppetry Theatre is a modern show combined with installation arts while the “Tof Theatre” featuring man-size puppets demonstrated Belgium’s skillful maneuvers in handling puppets in traditional styles.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh highlighted the significance of the event, considering this an opportunity for Vietnamese artists to introduce and promote interesting and beautiful aspects of Vietnamese puppetry art to international friends.
Being held over February 16 -23, the festival attracts the participation of 12 international troupes from Egypt, Belgium, Brazil, Israel, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Sweden, China and Singapore.
Host Viet Nam joins the festival with eight shows by the Viet Nam National Puppetry Theatre, the Thang Long Puppetry Theatre, and troupes from Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong and Dak Lak.
Various kinds of puppetry such as water, rod, hang, string shadow, mask and black stage puppetry will be seen at the festival which will be performed at the Ha Noi Opera House, Thang Long Theatre, the Military Theatre, and Children’s Palace.
According to organizers, there will be three prizes awarded to three categories and two to artistes, besides others aimed at honoring outstanding choreographers, scriptwriters, musicians, painters, art designers.
