DEART professor launches book about puppet theater in RN

On the 16th, professor André Carrico, from the Department of Arts (DEART) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), will launch the book Teatro de Bonecos Popular Potiguar, by Editora Escribas. The event will take place at Mahalila Café e Livros, in Natal, from 4pm to 10pm.
The work is the result of 18 years of research, consolidated in the “Barraca Alada” project, which maps and analyzes the tradition and innovation of the Popular Puppet Theater in Rio Grande do Norte. Also known as mamulengo or João Redondo, the theatrical genre of animated forms is marked by comic sketches and is part of the cultural heritage of the Brazilian Northeast.
In the book, Carriço presents a comprehensive overview of the popular puppet from Rio Grande do Norte, highlighting its origins, dramaturgy, characters, modes of production and social aspects. The research included interviews, visits to studios and presentations, in addition to a bibliographic and documentary survey. Among the results are detailed analyzes of the work of 11 players — as the artists who manipulate the dolls are called — and a mapping that revealed the existence of around 60 active players in the state, surpassing even Pernambuco, traditionally associated with mamulengo.
"My motivation was to see the work of these people, these artists, and think about how much we can learn in terms of epistemology, the construction of artistic knowledge, theatrical techniques, but also aesthetics and wisdom, worldview. As much as popular culture, it roots knowledge that can lead us to think about other ways of thinking about the world, of thinking about life, of seeing ourselves in the world", says Carrico.
The publication has graphic design by Nathália Nóbrega and cover illustration by Cordeiro de Sá. For the author, in addition to promoting Potiguar culture, the work contributes to academic training, strengthening research and artistic productions related to popular theater at UFRN and in Brazil.
The launch of Teatro de Bonecos Popular Potiguar is an opportunity to learn more about this artistic expression and celebrate the players who keep this tradition alive. The event will be open to the public.