Two Puppet Festivals in Singapore
The public performances included in all puppet festivals around the world, tend to include, aside from the puppet shows themselves…films, classes and workshops, school shows, and, open classes for people, young and old alike, wanting to learn the art of puppetry, wanting to carry on the artist traditions of any given culture and society. Many children in various cities around the world do not have exposure to the performing arts, be it that they live in remote places, or if they are in the city, more and more art programs being cut from public school systems each and every day. These festivals tend to bring the forefront the simple joy of creative energy, and the harnessing of that energy into shows and classes that not only entertain, but are known (as all art forms are known to do) to promote social awareness, promote the integration of various cultures working toward similar goals and promote the necessity for cooperation. These are just a few elements that suffer during times of economic strife and cultural struggle around the world. The Singapore International Puppet Festivals are no different.
One of the festivals started in Africa in 2002. By 2004 the festival was to include twenty to thirty puppeteers from countries such as the USA, Austria, Germany, France and Singapore. The focus of the festival and the classes and workshops being offered was the building of cultural cooperation through theater and art, puppetry. The collaborative effort toured to these various cities, and will tour again in 2009. It is an attempt to heal people who have been living in countries at war with themselves and with each other.
Another known festival, which is more specifically relevant in tradition and the mythology of the particular regions in China, Malaysia, and Singapore is the Hungry Ghost Festival. This festival is to honor the dead who are said to pay visits to living relatives. This happens during the seventh month of the year. Along with preparing extravagant meals to feed the hungry deceased, the ghosts are fed in hopes of assuaging any ill will towards the living. During this time of remembering and honoring with food and meals, Operas are performed, live concerts attended and the puppet shows of the old traditions, Hokkien and Teochews, are performed and attended to by all. Thus carrying on the traditions of a culture celebrating itself and all those who have been a part of it. Many visitors to the festival find accommodation in 5 star Singapore hotels.
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