Kasper and the Lauenburgers: Magic of puppetry in Delmenhorst!

Kasper and the Lauenburgers: Magic of puppetry in Delmenhorst!

The colorful world of puppetry has once again shown how important and valued the art form is in the region. Hubertus Lauenburger, who at 77 is one of the last traveling puppeteers, emphasizes the importance of the Punch and Judy show. The Lauenburger family runs Northern Germany's oldest puppet theater and also Germany's largest in the seventh generation. The Lauenburg Puppet Theater was founded in 1829 by Julius Lauenburger in Schleswig-Holstein, and with passion and dedication it brings joy to young and old.

With 100 handmade hand puppets, some of which are over 80 years old, the Lauenburgers impressively demonstrate the art of puppetry. The dolls, carved from lime and poplar wood, told many stories. Hubertus Lauenburger is proud that the family is continuing the tradition of the traveling theater, which once performed plays such as “Doktor Faustus”, to ultimately focus on entertaining children and their families.

Unique performances and the return to Verden

The Lauenburg Puppet Theater has currently started a small tour and is delighting the children in Delmenhorst, where performances are taking place in the large theater tent for two more weeks. The next performance is scheduled for July 6th at 11 a.m., followed by the play “Adventures in the Enchanted Forest” between July 10th and 19th with regular performances on weekends. Storks in the sky and the cheerful laughter of the audience make the experience even better, and the theater's mascot, guest star Chase, makes an appearance at the end of each performance to further delight the little audience members.

The premiere in Verden after six years was a complete success, as evidenced by the long queue at Warwickplatz before the performance. Jasmin Lauenburger, the puppeteer, emphasizes how happy she is to return and adds that the puppet theater has a special meaning for children and their families. After all, the Lauenburgers have been coming to Verden regularly for 30 years.

The challenges of puppetry

But the art of puppetry also brings with it some challenges. The increased maintenance costs are taking a toll on the puppeteers and the puppets require extensive treatment every two years to remain in good condition. David Lauenburger takes care of the maintenance of the 16 vehicles necessary for the tour. Fortunately, the public is counting on the support of the cities and spectators to continue the successful tradition.

Puppetry itself has a long history and is often considered one of the oldest forms of dramatic expression. It has changed from teaching morals in the 19th century to modern leisure entertainment without an educational purpose. Especially for children, as in the adventure areas of daycare centers and preschools, puppetry promotes social skills, imagination and empathy, which is of great importance in today's fast-moving times.

The future of puppet theater remains exciting. While Warwickplatz in Verden could potentially be developed, the Lauenburger family is doing everything it can to continue their tradition and preserve the magic of puppetry for future generations. Tickets are available from 9 euros, at the theater box office 30 minutes before the start of the performances.

The Lauenburgers have a simple motto: Nothing works without Kasper! And this proves itself time and again when children's eyes light up during puppet shows. A true piece of culture that leaves no room for boredom in Northern Germany.