Sicily's puppets an important island tradition

Sicily's traditional puppet shows are one of this island region's key cultural attractions, enticing international travellers and Italian visitors alike. The cultural significance of this Sicilian tradition and the craftsmanship behind the marionettes has been recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage.

Sicily's capital, Palermo, is home to the International Puppet Museum and has a collection of over 3,000 pieces, including Sicilian, Neapolitan and Oriental puppets. There are also ancient shadow puppets.

The Opera dei Pupi, as the puppet shows are called in Italian, began towards the end of the 17th century. The performances narrate chivalrous feats from the era, in particular the battles of Charlemagne and his champions, and each show is made up of precise segments that centre around these legendary battles.

There are two main puppet families in Sicily stemming from the island's largest cities, Palermo and Catania. The puppet families have their own unique characteristics, both in name and form. Uzeda, for instance, is a typical Catanese puppet, inspired by the Duke of Uzeda who was Governor of Sicily in the 17th century.

In battle, the puppet theatres of Catania are more personal and focus on two rivals, whereas those of Palermo call whole squadrons onto the stage - a spectacle that attracts all ages.

Behind the grand on-stage show, the back-stage work of Sicily's puppet artisans makes for another out-of-the-ordinary act. From the ironwork of the armour to the hand-painted plumage on the helmets, each puppet is created through the artisan's skill and the historical character it represents. Interestingly, many of Sicily's big stage actors come from the families of puppet craftsmen, perhaps a sign of the artistic sensibility behind the puppet-making trade.