An exhibition of Batley dolls opened in Vitebsk
The exhibition, located in the regional methodological center of folk art, features 8 batleykas from different regions of Vitebsk Oblast. It includes the traditional Dokshytsy nativity scene on wheels, 1-3 tiered structures from Gorodok, Braslav, Beshenkovichi, Novopolotsk, and other settlements, as well as handmade dolls used for performances.
Batleyka is a Belarusian folk puppet theater of the nativity scene type. The name originates from the word "betleem" – a distorted name for the city of Bethlehem, where, according to biblical accounts, Jesus Christ was born. It emerged in Europe in the 15th century and became widespread in Belarus from the 16th century. As stated by Elena Chernykh, the leading methodologist of the Regional Methodological Center of Folk Art, performances usually began on Christmas and continued until the end of the Holy evenings, i.e., until the New Year. Puppeteers, accompanied by musicians and a choir, traveled from house to house or staged performances in market squares.
The repertoire of batleyka can be divided into "high" (religious themes) and "low" (satirical scenes from folk life). Despite variations in construction, the puppet box had a certain common symbolism: the upper tier on the left side usually represented "paradise", and the lower tier on the right – "hell".
In the past, nativity scene boxes were made very large, with puppets controlled from below through special slots in the bottom, moving along grooves in the floor. Later, simpler, single-story nativity scenes made from readily available materials appeared, where puppets were moved using a rod. The main characters of the performance varied: glove puppets, mechanical puppets, marionettes, and flat puppets. Puppets on a rigid rod became the most widespread. Their average size was 23-27 cm. However, some reached up to 35 cm, usually for negative characters.
In Surazh, a batleyka was found that operated on the principle of a shadow theater. It resembled a three-domed church. The stage was covered with oiled paper. Inside the dome, metal rings with character figures were placed. The batleyka performer would light a candle and begin the performance. The so-called Surazh "zhlob" has not yet been restored, but some masters are considering it. In particular, Andrey Retikov from Novopolotsk (pictured), who has created 7 batleykas, has expressed such a desire. His collection of puppets for this type of theater, awarded a first-degree diploma, is presented at an exhibition in Vitebsk. The first place in the exhibition was also awarded to masters from the Gorodok and Beshenkovichi houses of crafts.
– The batleyka exhibition is the first in the region. It is symbolic that it opened on the day of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, who is considered the prototype of Ded Moroz. One could say that the exhibition became a wonderful New Year's gift, – noted Elena Chernykh.
Visitors to the exhibition, which will run until January 20, will not only be able to see what the traditional Belarusian puppet theater looks like but also watch batleyka performances. Three groups from Beshenkovichi, Novopolotsk, and Gorodok will present the classic Christmas performance "Tsar Herod," while others will show productions of everyday scenes and adaptations of folk tales.
Tatyana Pasternak, "Vitebskiye Vesti"