Petrushka

Petrushka (Russian: Петру́шка, IPA: [pʲɪtˈruʂkə] ) is a stock character of Russian folk puppetry. It was first introduced by traveling Italian performers in the first third of the 19th century during a period of Westernization in Russian culture. While most core characters came from Italy, they were soon transformed by the addition of material from the Russian cultural context.'[1] Petrushkas are traditionally hand puppets. The character is a kind of a jester, a slapstick protagonist distinguished by his red dress, a red kolpak, and often a long nose.

  1. ^ Catriona Kelly, "From Pulcinella to Petrushka: The History of the Russian Glove Puppet Theatre." Oxford Slavonic Papers 21 (1988): 41–63.