?ukasz Puczko, an innovative Polish puppeteer, has managed to radically change the common perception of puppets, elements that for many people are a cause of concern or fear, transforming them into a unique experience. His most iconic creation, a puppet named Burek, has become dogs’ best friend and a way for some people to overcome their phobias.
This project began approximately 15 years ago, while I was studying at a theater academy in Poland. At that time, Puczko conceived the idea of ??creating a unique puppet representing a happy, bouncing dog that he would name Burek.
This project was not an easy task; He required wood, thread and synthetic fur, in addition to months of meticulous work in his workshop to assemble everything. Evidently, he also had to conduct an in-depth study of canine behavior to ensure convincing realism in Burek’s every move.
The process was complicated but enriching. “During construction, I spent hours observing the dogs, trying to understand what specific movements I should replicate in a puppet,” Puczko shared with The Dodo.
The puppet had to have all the possible joints so that it could jump, sit, shake its paw, show a playful attitude or stretch like a real dog would. “I learned from every mistake. For me, Burek symbolizes my tenacity and dedication,” he guaranteed.
After completing his studies, Puczko took to the streets with his partner Burek, touring various countries and presenting his homemade creation to an audience, both human and canine, who received them with open arms.
Over the years, the experience gained and feedback from people allowed Puczko to perfect Burek, improving his movements to make them even more realistic. “In about 15 years performing with each version of Burek, I have met thousands of dogs with different reactions. With each one, I learned and practiced even more,” Puczko acknowledged.
A recent anecdote in a local park perfectly illustrates how the puppeteer and his dog puppet have achieved a mastery that is capable of fooling anyone, even dogs. As can be seen in a video, a real dog, deceived by the smell and the precision of Burek’s movements, believed it was in front of a fellow dog and started playing with it.
Beyond mere entertainment, Puczko has discovered an additional purpose in his work with Burek. As he has said, there are children and adults who are afraid of dogs because they believe they can bite them. In situations like these he uses Burek to make them lose this fear.
“Although they knew that Burek was a puppet, the realism of his movements allowed them, little by little, to get closer to their fear. Over time, some managed to overcome their fear, even going so far as to caress Burek. For some, it was the first time who interacted so closely with a dog,” Puczko said.
