Ever wonder about the souls behind the strings? Here at Laboratorio artigianale pupi Salvatore Bumbello, the magic of Sicilian puppets comes alive. This isn’t just a workshop. It’s a portal into a world of epic battles and chivalrous knights.
Salvatore Bumbello, born in 1977, is the heart and soul of this operation. He is the founder of the Opera dei Pupi Brigliadoro company. More importantly, he is a craftsman keeping a vital tradition alive. To discover the secrets of Sicilian puppets, you have to come here between the alleys of Papireto. Here, the art of building paladins is a family matter.
Salvatore’s journey began with his father, Luciano. Luciano was a student of Francesco Sclafani. From 1950 to 1995, Sclafani assisted the historic families of puppeteers in Palermo like the Cuticchio and the Mancuso families. He was also a friend of Antonio Pasqualino. Pasqualino was the professor who loved the theater of figures from all over the world. He even founded the International Puppet Museum.
Salvatore learned the art of puppet construction from his father. In 1995, at the tender age of 17, he took over the family business after his father’s death. Inside this tiny workshop in the Papireto district, you will find a multitude of wooden heads ready to be carved and painted. It is truly an epic sight.
A visit here reveals how the puppets are made. You’ll see how they work. You’ll discover how they move. You might even get a taste of the Opera dei Pupi. Salvatore can stage performances. His kids even help him. They control the strings and crank a barrel organ.
Salvatore’s dedication to the art is evident. He learned from Mimmo Cuticchio after his father’s passing. Today, Bumbello is a respected puppet maker and performer in Palermo. He travels the world with his traveling theater. He tells the stories of Carlo Magno’s heroes who were always at war with the terrible Saracens. It is a metaphor for the battle between good and evil.
Salvatore’s sons, Luciano and Francesco, are part of the family business. They founded the Brigliadoro company named after Orlando’s famous horse. Salvatore also collaborates with the Antonio Pasqualino International Puppet Museum. He performs shows for schools in Sicily with his traveling theater.
Salvatore Bumbello lives surrounded by armor helmets shields colorful feathers and amazing stories. He transmits his love for puppets to children. Preserving the ancient craft he does with passion and dedication makes him a supporter of cultural traditions.
Remember the weight each puppet carries. They weigh about 8 or 9 kilos. It is a physically demanding job to be a puppeteer. The tradition must not be changed. If the tradition changes you destroy it.