Hurvínek *1926 – forever… – Exhibition for the 100th Anniversary at Cheb Museum

The exhibition HURVÍNEK *1926 – FOREVER… at Cheb Museum commemorates the 100th anniversary of one of the most famous Czech puppets. The opening ceremony took place on May 16, 2026, as part of the 22nd Museum Nights Festival, and the exhibition is open until October 11, 2026. The exhibition presents not only Hurvínek himself but also the life story of his creator – puppeteer and woodcarver Gustav Nosek (1887–1974), a close collaborator of Josef Skupa, who lived and worked in Cheb during the 1960s–1970s. The exhibition is fully bilingual (Czech and German) and offers numerous interactive elements: visitors can try their hand at puppetry or listen to Spejbl and Hurvínek in various language versions. It also includes an educational documentary film that traces Hurvínek's story and the broader context of Czech puppet theatre tradition. The project was created in collaboration with Mitteldeutsches Marionettentheatermuseum in Bad Liebenwerda and emphasizes that Czech and Slovak puppetry – inscribed on the UNESCO list in 2016 – is a living tradition that transcends borders. The accompanying programme includes school lessons for preschoolers through secondary students and evening puppet performances by the Buchty a loutky ensemble. The museum is open daily except Mondays from 9:00 to 17:00.