Hänneschen-Theater

About

Hänneschen-Theater (German: [ˈhɛnəsçn̩ teˌʔaːtɐ]; Kölsch: Hännesje Tiater [ˈhɛ́nəsjə tiˈjátɐ]) is a traditional puppetry-theatre in Cologne, Germany, established in the year 1802. The stage is situated in a building on Eisenmarkt in downtown Cologne.

The Hänneschen-Theater pieces are set in Knollendorf, a fictional village somewhere in the outskirts of Cologne. The popular puppets represent fictional characters who embody typical traits of Colognian people, and include Tünnes, Schäl, Hänneschen and Bärbelchen, as well as other unique characters. In addition to the ever-changing pieces that are staged for adults and children, the puppet shows are also an important part of the Cologne Carnival. The carnival puppet session is each year a loving parody of a conventional Carnival session.

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.