How Puppetry Rekindles the Inner Spark
Rediscovering Child-Like Wonder and Forgotten Parts of Ourselves Through the Art of Puppetry
When I first brought La Befana into the streets of New York, I just wanted to have some fun and explore what would happen if I just let this legend naturally unfold.
But when the pandemic hit it became evident that something much deeper was at hand between me and this puppet.
In Deep Puppetry, we talk about ensouling objects—inviting life where we least expect it.
The thing that I found through the act of animating La Befana is that the process is reciprocal.
As I brought La Befana to life, I felt a spark rekindle in me. It was that spark of child-like innocence that though I had touched before never felt safe enough to fully express.
Especially not in the streets of New York.
But as I animated La Befana, I began to realize that puppetry can offer not only a bridge between self and other but also a bridge between us and the parts of ourselves that have been neglected or forgotten.
This puppet became a conduit for my inner child to explore, to express, and to believe in the magic of her dreams.
☕✨Espresso Yourself Prompts
Rekindling Innocence:
Think of a moment when you felt a spark of child-like wonder or innocence. What were you doing? How did it feel, and what might you do to invite more of that into your life today?The Forgotten Self:
Are there parts of yourself—dreams, traits, or passions—that feel neglected or forgotten? If these parts had a voice, what might they say to you?Creating Bridges:
Puppetry can serve as a bridge to the neglected self. What activities, objects, or rituals might help you reconnect with a hidden part of yourself?
Join Me as a Guest Writer for the 12 Days of Befana
Join the 12 Days of Befana—a series of personal stories from guest writers of all ages exploring themes of kindness, welcome, belonging, transformation, and the sacred in everyday life. Inspired by the legend of La Befana & my experience animating a puppet of this character in the streets of NYC during the pandemic, the 12 Days of La Befana is a celebration of our shared humanity woven from the stories of our lives. If you’d like to share a story, check out the writing prompts in the google form below. After completing the form, I will send you further instructions on publication. The deadline to be a featured guest writer/storyteller is December 15th.
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