Puppet Museum's Gifts From China

History of Puppet Gifts

 In 2004, Bremerton Port Commissioner Cheryl Kincer introduced Qui Zhenhua (“Qiuqiu”), Chief Representative in China, West China Development International Association (USA), Chengdu Representative Office, to the board members and museum curator of Evergreen Children’s Theatre and Aurora Valentinetti Puppet Museum. From this initial meeting has evolved a series of visits and gifts of puppets and theater artifacts illustrating the history and styles of Chinese puppetry. The relationship between the organizations is based on the idea that puppets and the art of puppetry can lead to a better understanding of our different cultures.  

The first major gift arranged by Qiuqiu was dedicated on July 22, 2004.  Washington Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen came to Bremerton to accept the gift on behalf of the museum. On May 10, 2005, an extraordinary gift of over one hundred puppets was made by Mr. Wang Yuanfeng, President of the Beijing Dong Fang Zheng Yi Film & TV Communication Co., Ltd. These generous donations are now a part of the permanent collection of the Aurora Valentinetti Puppet Museum and will be available for visitors and viewers for years to come.