Brian Jeffrey
Traditional Water Puppetry in Brazil
Phan Thanh Liem showcased water puppetry for eight days during Vietnam Day in Brazil, marking the introduction of this traditional Vietnamese art to the country, thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ invitation.
Noticing the high costs of air freight to the Americas, Liem opted for a more compact setup for the performance, which weighed only 100 kilograms. He initially constructed the performance pool from metal sheets, which, despite being lightweight, proved too heavy for solo handling. Instead, he innovated by using an iron mesh to create a pool that could hold three cubic meters of water by cutting and welding it into shape.
The final stage was aesthetically impressive, featuring silver plating with the ‘Longevity’ character flanked by two dragons and a carefully crafted red tiled roof. The audience responded positively, taking numerous photos of the beautifully designed stage.
After performing worldwide, Liem felt a deep sense of connection when he showcased his art in Brazil. With only a few Vietnamese attendees present, the performance evoked nostalgia for their homeland. One Vietnamese woman, married to a Brazilian, attended the show with her family. She shared that her in-laws, who were accustomed to watching water puppetry daily, left the performance after enjoying it immensely.
Among the audience were also Vietnamese women dressed in traditional ao dai, who came to experience the performance.
A Legacy of Puppetry
Liem is part of a long-standing family lineage in water puppetry, being the seventh generation in his family to uphold this tradition. His father, Phan Van Ngai, is renowned for creating the mobile water puppet stage and is credited with the Teu puppet figure showcased in the Louvre Museum.
While performing with his family’s troupe, Liem recognized the impracticality of large stages for smaller groups. This realization led him to develop a miniature water puppet stage, which premiered in 2000.
He stands out as one of the most prolific Vietnamese artists presenting water puppetry internationally, having shared this enchanting art form across various nations over the past 25 years.
Liem praises the cultural appreciation shown by audiences in Japan and Korea, recounting an experience where spectators queued patiently in sweltering heat and heavy rain solely to witness the performance, showcasing their love for water puppetry.
The artist aspires to keep traveling internationally to further showcase and celebrate Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.
