This exhibition walked us through the history of the heroes of the European puppet tradition over the centuries. Its aim was to show the public Polichinela’s history. As Toni Rumbau explains, “he is a very curious character. He is the starting point. Born in Naples during the Renaissance, he travels through Europe and suffers different transformations in each city”. Regarding its characterisation, Rumbau points out about the Neapolitan mask that, “moving from city to city over the centuries, it has become a rich archetype of vitality and sovereignty, as it has branched out across the whole continent into very tightly related characters”.
Polichinela adopted several different forms and names throughout Europe. “Most cities possess a puppet that represents them: local myths that constitute their popular and humble souls, and showcase each place’s most peculiar, archetypical and hidden traces. Naples has Pulcinella, Paris Polichinelle, London Punch, Lyon Guignol, Moscow Petrushka, Barcenola Titella, Madrid Don Cristóbal, and Tolosa, through TOPIC, has Mariona”.