Item of the Week: Tchantchès marionette

The (double) item of this week consists of two famous puppets from Liège: Tchantchès and Nanesse... They are a must-see if you want to understand the culture of the city. The two characters are usually encountered as marionettes or giant puppets carried by people at folk parades. People in Liège love them and probably every kid in Liège has already enjoyed a marionette play in the Outremeuse district. Tchantchès symbolises the typical Liège chap, but nobody is really sure of what his name means. Some say Tchantchès is a diminutive of Françwès, i.e. "Francis" in Walloon dialect, but others prefer to see it as an ancient diminutive Djan (John) via Dutch "Jantje" (little John).

Tchantchès is a legendary character who is said to be born in Outremeuse, a district of Liège in the middle Ages. The name "Outremeuse" means that if you come from the centre of Liège and the district is "beyond the Meuse (river)". In his stories, he is a close friend of Charles the Great and always defends him against enemies in big battles. His favourite way of fighting is by head butting his opponent. He is the representation of the traditional personality of Liège people, because he is said to be impertinent, courageous and loyal to his friends. Finally, his big red nose gives away that he is a big lover of pèkèt, the local jenever drink.

Tchantchès, Nanesse and Charles the Great

 

Represented with a red scarf around the neck, a black cap, and a blue work coat, Tchantchès wears the typical working-class outfit from the end of the 19th century, and it is believed that it was the time when the puppet was invented in a local theatre. He also has a wife, Nanesse (Agnes in English), a basket carrier, who, although being full of integrity and a gentle character, is also strong and strict to her husband and likes hitting him with a frying pan when she gets angry. 

A parade in Liège with the giant puppets

 

Today, Tchantchès and Nanesse are famous for their puppets (or marionettes), which appear whether in theatres or as giants for a parade every year on 15th August in Outremeuse. The marionettes are particular in that they are made of around 8-10 pieces of wood, iron strings and cloth. The scenarios of the plays were usually written during the 19th century and re-enact medieval "chansons de geste". Only one rod is used to manipulate the puppet, which only allows limited and awkward body moves. This gives a funny touch to the plays, especially when characters are fighting. The play is ideal for younger kids, because the puppets discuss and interact with the audience, make jokes and ask them for advices... All I can say is kids love it and I loved it as a kid.