Puppet theatre
The art of puppetry is a long-held tradition in many parts of the world and has a rich history in Uzbekistan. In the Middle Ages, people staged puppet shows in crowded squares, markets and festivals. Behind a curtain covering a simple outdoor stage, small scenes were hidden depicting the lives of ordinary people, rich and poor, as well as loyalty, friendship and betrayal.
Words by Durdona Shavkatova
The tradition of puppetry in Uzbekistan goes back to the 6th-4th centuries BC, during the Achaemenid Empire. However, the art of puppetry became popular only in the 14th century, under the rule of Amir Timur and the Timurid dynasty. Particularly popular were dolls on strings and glove puppets.
The State Puppet Theatre of Khorezm occupies a special place among modern puppet theatres in Uzbekistan. It is recognised as the only puppet theatre in Uzbekistan that takes its visitors back into history and allows them to feel the atmosphere of a medieval market. The scenery, puppets, stories and manner of play utilised are the same as those that fascinated audiences centuries ago. That is why the Khiva Puppet Theatre is very popular among international visitors.
The emergence of puppet theatre in Khorezm dates back more than 2000 years to the Zoroastrian period. Theatrical puppet shows were not just a form of entertainment; they also propagated religious ideologies.
The theatre is located in the Ichan Kala, Khiva’s historic old town. Its repertoire includes 60 different performances of folklore and children's programmes, the most popular of which are Khiva's lyazgi dance and khon kabuli (royal reception). The protagonist of many of the plays is the folk hero Khoja Nasreddin, who is portrayed as a witty trickster who fights the evils of humanity.
According to Euronews correspondent Seamus Kearney, it is easy for anyone visiting Khiva “to feel love for the puppets, which are based on the ancient traditions of the city's ancestors and which decorate the life of the city through theatrical performances.”
Kearney says such performances help pass on local customs and traditions to the younger generation.
Every year, the State Puppet Theatre of Khorezm participates in a number of national and international festivals. In 2011, it participated in the First National Puppet Theatre Festival in Baku with the play “Khiva's Lyazgi”. In September 2013, the theatre took an active part in competitions in Darmstadt and Frankfurt, Germany.
One of Khiva's most renowned puppeteers is Mansur Kuryazov. In 1993, he established the Khorezm Regional Puppet Theatre under the leadership of D. Atabayev. He set up his own workshop and studio called Jaihun.
Puppets make wonderful, handcrafted souvenirs that help support local artists while also keeping an ancient art form alive. Khiva Market is a good place to shop for ‘glove puppets’; dressed in national style, these are a vibrant symbol of the folkloric interpretations and customs of ancient Uzbekistan.
