TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A U.S.-Taiwan puppet exhibition was brought to the Changhua Art Museum in an effort between the Changhua County Government and Seattle's Northwest Puppet Center.
The exhibition, which runs until Aug. 25, showcases 117 puppets from 21 countries across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. It features an array of puppet forms, including large and small puppets, rod puppets, masks, double-sided puppets, and string puppets, per CNA.
Western puppets include pieces from the renowned Northwest Puppet Center, known for having one of the richest collections of international puppets in the Americas. Eastern puppets include works by local Changhua carvers Hsu Hsieh-rung (許協榮), Hsu Chin-bang (許金棒), and Hsu Ping-yuan (徐柄垣).
In addition to the exhibition, the Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau is hosting a series of puppetry performances and workshops. Visitors can learn how to manipulate puppets, practice walking, running, or clapping with them, and even try tossing and catching puppets.
The Changhua Changyiyuan Puppet Theater will present "Zheng He's Voyages to the West" and "Journey to the West: Monkey’s Three Attempts at the Plantain Fan.” The shows begin at 2:00 p.m. on July 21 and Aug. 4, per Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau.
On July 28, the Kuanghsingke Puppet Theater will host a Taiwanese-language puppetry workshop. Participants will learn puppet manipulation techniques and gain insights into Taiwanese language and culture through puppetry.
Coinciding with the exhibition is the ongoing Guashan No. 3 Market outside the museum. Launched on Saturday (July 20), the market features traditional local products and crafts and will continue for eight months until February 2025.
