Punch. A German Career

An exhibition by Museum für Sächsische Volkskunst mit Puppentheatersammlung
November 27, 2010 to April 25, 2011

There have always been heroes and funny characters in the puppet theatre with whom the audience could identify. For more than 200 years one of the characters is called punch. From anarchist, bully, coward and slug, the punch changed over time to become an educator and hence a useful member of society. He was used and misused, loved and hated. During the NS regime he turned into a German hero and his nose was carefully straightened. However, in East Germany there was no place for him. Instead of him, socialistic heroes should take centre stage until punches working-class roots were discovered. So, he was able to regain his political dimension in plays for adults. The exhibition introduces the punch among his family, friends and foreign colleagues.