250 years since birth of Czech puppetry master Matěj Kopecký
The talented puppeteer, actor, juggler, watchmaker and war invalid was born on February 24th 1775 in Libčany near Hradec Králové. Kopecký was born into a family of nomadic comedians and from his early years travelled with his parents around the Czech countryside.
Matěj Kopecký trained as a watchmaker, married and became a burgher in the town of Mirotice. However, he was drafted into the army and was wounded twice in the Napoleonic Wars. After his discharge from the army, he changed many professions until in 1818 he began to devote himself fully to puppet theatre.
His puppet shows became very popular and, thanks to his talent, he received permission to perform throughout Bohemia, with the exception of Prague and in spa towns. Kopecký had fourteen children, six of whom lived to adulthood and continued the family puppetry tradition. This tradition has in fact been maintained to this day through nine generations.
Pimprlata and Kopecký's own creations
An essential part of his theatrical performances were small puppets, called pimprlata in Czech. Their realistic appearance and high-quality workmanship captivated audiences across Bohemia. Each puppet had its own unique expression and personality, which contributed to their popularity.
In addition to pimprlata, Matěj Kopecký also had puppets in his repertoire that he made himself. He was a talented craftsman and his puppets were carefully designed and made with specific performances in mind. Kopecký's puppets were not just props, but real characters that came to life on stage.
Although the puppet stories were entertaining and moving, Matěj Kopecký died unknown and in poverty in 1847. He was buried in Týn nad Vltavou, but the location of his grave is unknown. In 1905, a monument was erected in his native Libčany, which commemorates him to this day.
