UNESCO Puts Slovak and Czech Puppetry on List of Intangible Heritage

UNESCO Puts Slovak and Czech Puppetry on List of Intangible Heritage

Bratislava, December 1 (TASR) – Puppet theatre in Slovakia and the Czech Republic has been put on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, TASR learnt on Thursday.

According to Juraj Hamar, chairman of the Culture Minister’s Council for the Protection of Traditional Folk Culture and general director of the Slovak State Traditional Dance Company (SLUK), the UNESCO body praised the “unique value of puppet theatre in Slovakia and the Czech Republic for the cultural heritage of humanity”.

“This type of theatre unites dramatic, dramaturgical, staging, interpretation, scenographic, visual artistic and musical skills,” said Hamar, adding that other elements frequently include carving, painting and clothing puppets. The tradition of puppet theatre in both countries is especially strong, added Hamar.