Caltagirone: Mostra dei Pupi siciliani

c/o the old Teatro Stabile dell’Opera dei Pupi di Caltagirone, Via Roma 65, 95041 Caltagirone tel. 0933/54085 (cooperativa Eliotur)

Opening hours: Winter 10.00 A.M. - 1.00 P.M., 3.30 P.M. - 9.00 P.M.; closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Easter: Entrance: Adult £ 2500, children £ 2000 Services: Guided tours, assistance and facilities for disabled people. Transport from Catania: AST and Etna Trasporti bus services.

The "Compagnia dei pupi" of Caltagirone has performed shows since 1918 thanks to his leading spirit, Don Gaetano Russo, and has survived till 1989. In 1992, thanks to the intervention of the owners of the collection of "Pupi e Cartelli" and of some private citizens, the "Teatrino" has been opened once again and returned to its previous place of importance. The exhibited puppets are fifty and they date back to more than half a century ago, while the "cartelli" (posters) are more ancient, about 1918. The puppets belong to the "Scuola Pupara" of Catania, as opposed to the one of Palermo, from which they are different in their size (those belonging to Catania are higher and heavier) and for the techniques of manufacture and of movement: to enrich the exhibition there is an exposition of cart keys and of historical books (dated 1918) from which Russo got the idea for his puppet performances.

Provincial Tourism Board of Catania
http://www.apt-catania.com
E-mail : apt@apt-catania.com