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Courrier du Secrétaire général de l’UNIMA n°13
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Are there any examples of original 19th century paintings depicting puppet or marionette performances extant?
Who could believe that this worn-out buindilg’s ground floor, in this dusty Bejin suburb, hide a Chinese patrimonial treasure? Ten of thousands puppets had been gathered here. Wrapped in plastic, protected from the dust, they wait still the rare viewers to wander until there. Those stars of shadow theater plays, a two millenium tradition, owe their survival to Cui Yongping and his wife Wang Shugin, the residents, puppet masters.The story of this museum is also their story, a love story started in 1961 when they met, just out of teenage, both talented actors of a legendary puppet theater in Bejin. Few years and a wedding later, the cultural revolution sent them at the factory, as they burried an embryo of collection under their house foundations, waiting for better times. In the late 70 s, those puppets ceased to be counter-revolutionary. They are digged out as Cui s troop get together and found an enthusiastic audience during an european tour. The collection grows as Cui and Wang travels throughout China seeking rares pieces. The quest is temporarily interrupted by Cui s stroke which deprives him for the use of his right arm. In 2000 the collection reaches more than 100 000 pieces with some dated from Ming Dynasty. When in 2003, museum creation is allowed, Cui and Wang can show their collection to the public. But if those puppets aren t reactionary anymore, they aren t popular anymore either. The appeal for this kind of theater didn t survive the cultural revolution.Now, as their health decline, Cui and Wang wait just for one thing, joining their son in US, bringing with them their collection. If I die, what would happen to all this artwork? Cui Yongping and his wife Wang Shuqin in their own small theater, set in their flat.Head of the Monkey King puppetPuppet head inspired by Beijin OperaPuppets figuring scenes from Hell, Ming dynastyPuppet figuring Qin Shi Huang, 1st Chinese Emperor