Kasparek

Kasper (known as Kasperl and Kasperle in southern Germany and Austria) is the hero of German puppet theater. The name Kasper probably comes from the ancient Persian meaning “keeper of the treasure.” Tradition holds one of the three Magi who visited the Christ Child was named Caspar. This character also existed in the mystery plays of the medieval Church.

Kasper is our unbeatable hero. He laughs and jokes, even in the face of danger. Kasper is always ready for an adventure with his friends. He uses puns, wordplay, and wit to win the day. Since Kasper is childlike himself, children identify closely with him. In the skits, children accompany Kasper on his adventures, and together they bravely face danger.

Marionette puppet theatre has had a very long history in entertainment in Prague, and elsewhere in the Czech Republic. It can be traced deep into the early part of the Middle Ages. Marionettes first appeared around the time of the Thirty Years’ War.

Since the middle of the 19th century, the manipulation with puppets on small home stages, so-called family theatres, created for the entertainment of the children and friends.

Next to parents and teachers, artists, authors and actors also began to take an interest in the puppet theatre wanting to stress, in the so far existing concept of the puppet theatre, its aesthetic values and turn the puppet theatre into an artistic genre. The puppetry movement intensified particularly after the Czechoslovak Republic was established. It was the golden era of the family puppet theatre for which puppets were being produced in series and printed decorations of high quality were being produced in many series.