Puppets on a string draw children's smiles in Gaza
A marionette puppet, made by Palestinian artist Mahdi Karera, is seen at his house balcony in Gaza City January 20, 2019. Picture taken January 20, 2019. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
GAZA (Reuters) - A Palestinian puppeteer is tugging at heartstrings in Gaza.
At a kindergarten, Mahdi Karera, who describes himself as Gaza's first marionette-maker, put on a show about the importance of reading.
An opening song-and-dance number featuring a clown, a cook, a teacher, a boy and a girl, drew cheers and laughter from the young audience.
Children play with marionette puppets made by Palestinian artist Mahdi Karera, during a show at a kindergarten in Gaza City January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
"There has never been a marionette theater in Gaza," Karera, 39, told Reuters. "Puppets have a role: they entertain people - children and adults. They promote positive values and change negative ones."
Karera, who said he taught himself how to make and operate marionettes, has created 30 puppets out of wood, foam, plastic and metal wire in a workshop on his home balcony.
"I am strongly attached to them, they are like my kids," he said.
Marionette puppets, made by Palestinian artist Mahdi Karera, are seen at his house balcony in Gaza City January 20, 2019. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Alison Williams)
A girl plays with a marionette puppet made by Palestinian artist Mahdi Karera, during a show at a kindergarten in Gaza City January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu MustafaPalestinian artist Mahdi Karera holds a marionette puppet he made, at his house balcony in Gaza City January 20, 2019. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu MustafaMarionette puppets, made by Palestinian artist Mahdi Karera, are seen at his house balcony in Gaza City January 20, 2019. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu MustafaPalestinian artist Mahdi Karera makes a marionette puppet at his house balcony in Gaza City January 20, 2019. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu MustafaChildren look at marionette puppets made by Palestinian artist Mahdi Karera, during a show at a kindergarten in Gaza City January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu MustafaMarionette puppets, made by Palestinian artist Mahdi Karera, are seen during a show at a kindergarten in Gaza City January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
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