The problem of traditional fair folk puppet theater in Serbia: "Kuku Todor", 1904-2021

During globalization and general universalization in society, issues of originality of certain forms and typology of heroes are raised, and not only in the theater, including puppet theater, but in all areas of culture. All this is an integral part of the process of searching for one's own national identity. The problem of traditionality is present in many segments of the culture of all peoples, including the Serbs. The issue of authenticity and tradition of the folk puppet theater "Kuku Todor" in Serbia, due to numerous reasons, is still far from being resolved. The words “tradition, traditional type, traditional hero…” are often mentioned in the context of this theater and its main character in Serbia. But what is behind this? Where did it come from among the Serbs, and why, when exactly do they return to it? What makes Kuku Todor a member of the great world brotherhood of puppet comedy heroes of folk theaters and in what ways do we find deviations from them? In this article, we partially consider the long-standing phenomenon of categorizing this performance as part of a tradition in Serbian theatrical culture, despite the lack of fixation of such a phenomenon in science. We will try to find answers to the questions before us, taking into account the historical facts related to the continuous wars in the Balkan spaces and, above all, in Serbia, which we are talking about.