I burattini Losa.
Una storia di famiglia

The catalog for the exhibition The Losa Puppets: A Family Story curated by the Ravasio Foundation – Puppet Museum ETS, celebrates the tradition of Bergamasque puppeteers, focusing on the Losa family, active since the early 1900s. The exhibition is not just a tribute but a project to safeguard and enhance the Puppet Theater and forms of popular entertainment that reflect local history and culture through traditional puppets and masks. The Losa family, pioneers in the puppet tradition, contributed to the vitality of this art form with a unique style that blends popular elements and artisanal techniques passed down through generations. Giuseppe Losa, the patriarch, learned the craft during his emigration to Switzerland and, together with his son Fiorino, transformed this vocation into a true art. Fiorino (1926-1995), along with his wife Delfina, kept the tradition alive during a time when the popularity of puppetry was threatened by the rise of cinema and television.

The art of the Losa puppets stands out for its ability to adapt to cultural changes while staying connected to local roots. Through the character of Gioppino, a symbol of Bergamo, and other figures from the Commedia dell’Arte, the Losas present dramas and comedies inspired by epic and popular themes, engaging audiences of all ages, including children with fairy tales and imaginative stories. This popular spirit allowed the family to connect with various communities in Lombardy, spreading Bergamasque cultural heritage beyond provincial borders and becoming a point of reference for new Puppet Theater artists.

Through a journey spanning a century of history and passion, the exhibition reminds us how the Losas have been, and continue to be, guardians of an authentic and precious theatrical culture. The Losa Company not only keeps the puppet tradition alive but renews its legacy.