Shadow theater flourished in many lands, including China, India, Persia, Indochina and Asia Minor. It seems to have come to mainland Greece, probably from Asia Minor during Ottoman rule. The moral tales enacted by the puppeteers feature satirical observations about the social and political issues of the time - a form of social commentary understood by people of all classes.
The central character is Karagiozis, whose name now represents the genre. Karagiozis is poor and uneducated, relying on his cunning and wit to survive, a Greek folk hero for children and adults.
The puppet show is usually accompanied by a singer with a small group of musicians as well as enough shouting and noise and witty dialogue keep the audience laughing. While there are scenarios and the plots are familiar, the puppeteer improvises and adapts storylines according to the audience, enhancing them with impromptu wise cracks and bawdy remarks.
The puppets are traditionally made from translucent camel or donkey skin. Worked until it is semi-transparent, the hide was cut into the desired shape and painted with vegetable pigments.The puppeteer moves the puppets using detachable rods. Between the figures and the player (who was invisible), were candles or lamps that shed light to the figures and made their silhouettes visible to the audience through the cloth.
The hilarious movement of the characters, the innocent beatings, the strange and ragged clothing, the cunning word games and numerous linguistic mistakes were what gave Karagiozis a special place in the hearts of Greek audiences for decades.
The exhibition contains items from the following institutions:
