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A Passion Which Began With a Christmas Present in 1946

Published December 15th, 2020 - 08:05 GMT

Almost 75 years ago in 1946, the first Christmas after the war, Augusto Grilli's the little theatre received 12 puppets. Grilli's eyes still light up when he recalls the childhood gift that sparked a career and a lifelong passion. It was love at first sight.

He turned out to have a talent for marionettes -- puppets with strings -- and soon became something of a star in his school in Turin, northern Italy. 

A drawer is filled with heads, while hundreds of eyes look out from an old wooden box. The little gold and white theatre is today carefully preserved in one of the countless plastic boxes waiting to be taken to the new International Puppet Museum. The dream is to open a museum in 2023 in Turin.

The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes.

As well as hosting exhibitions, the museum will put on shows in a 120-seat theatre, hold restoration workshops and maintain an archive.

Puppetry has a rich history in both Asia and Europe, taking many different forms on both small and big stages. 

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Puppets of Grilli's family collection are pictured on the stage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Puppets of Grilli's family collection are pictured on the stage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Puppet heads lies in a drawer at the " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Puppet heads lies in a drawer at the " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Augusto Grilli repairs a puppet in his " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Augusto Grilli repairs a puppet in his " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

A puppet head lies on a workbench at the " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

A puppet head lies on a workbench at the " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Augusto Grilli works in his " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Augusto Grilli works in his " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Marco Grilli holds two puppets backstage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Marco Grilli holds two puppets backstage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Marco Grilli holds two puppets in the parterre at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Marco Grilli holds two puppets in the parterre at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Augusto Grilli checks his puppets on the stage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Augusto Grilli checks his puppets on the stage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

From left Marco, Maria Rosa and Augusto Grilli pose for a picture on November 30, 2020 at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

From left Marco, Maria Rosa and Augusto Grilli pose for a picture on November 30, 2020 at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

Puppets of Grilli's family collection are pictured on the stage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Puppet heads lies in a drawer at the " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Augusto Grilli repairs a puppet in his " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
A puppet head lies on a workbench at the " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Augusto Grilli works in his " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Marco Grilli holds two puppets backstage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Marco Grilli holds two puppets in the parterre at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Augusto Grilli checks his puppets on the stage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
From left Marco, Maria Rosa and Augusto Grilli pose for a picture on November 30, 2020 at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Puppets of Grilli's family collection are pictured on the stage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Puppets of Grilli's family collection are pictured on the stage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Puppet heads lies in a drawer at the " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Puppet heads lies in a drawer at the " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Augusto Grilli repairs a puppet in his " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Augusto Grilli repairs a puppet in his " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
A puppet head lies on a workbench at the " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
A puppet head lies on a workbench at the " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Augusto Grilli works in his " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Augusto Grilli works in his " Alfa Theatre" laboratory in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Marco Grilli holds two puppets backstage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Marco Grilli holds two puppets backstage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Marco Grilli holds two puppets in the parterre at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Marco Grilli holds two puppets in the parterre at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Augusto Grilli checks his puppets on the stage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
Augusto Grilli checks his puppets on the stage at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin, on November 30, 2020. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
From left Marco, Maria Rosa and Augusto Grilli pose for a picture on November 30, 2020 at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP
From left Marco, Maria Rosa and Augusto Grilli pose for a picture on November 30, 2020 at the " Alfa Theatre" in Turin. The Grilli family has a collection of more than 20,000 objects from around the world, everything from theatres, marionettes and glove puppets to shadow figures and silhouettes. A long-time dream of Grilli and his wife Mariarosa, 78, the museum is due to open in 2023 in Turin, financed both privately and publicly with the help of different institutions. Marco Bertorello / AFP

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