Mexican Duo Brings Puppet Magic to the Bliss

There’s something magical happening at the Bliss this week and it’s all thanks to two talented artists from Mexico. Meet Jesús Cocido and Raquel Robles, a dynamic duo from Sonora, who are back in Belize with their colorful, hands-on puppet-making workshop. For the next two weeks, they’ll be working with librarians and kids, turning imagination into art through vibrant character hats designed for storytelling. They’ve been bringing their creativity to Belize every year since 2013. Let’s look at how they’re inspiring the next generation of storytellers.

 

Tanya Arceo, Reporting

The Institute of Creative Arts is rolling out its Summer Arts & Literacy initiative, and Director Kim Vasquez couldn’t be more excited to welcome two special guests, puppet maker Raquel Robles Pacheco and storyteller Jesús Cocido. Together, they’re leading fun and interactive morning sessions with kids and librarians, diving into the world of theater, puppet-making, and storytelling. It’s hands-on, it’s imaginative, and it’s all about bringing stories to life, one character hat at a time.

 

Kim Vasquez, Director, Institute of Creative Arts

“We have two Visiting instructors from Mexico, Raquel Robles-Pacheco and Jesús Cocido, they are teaching here at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts as part of our Summer Arts Immersive program. They are engaged in teaching children in the morning — theater, how to use the puppets to do storytelling. As well as in the afternoons they are engage in training librarians they are training this week and nine librarians from the Cayo and Belize district.”

 

Ever dreamed of bringing a story to life with your own hands? Well, now’s your chance. You can be part of the magic, design your own mask or character hat, and dive into the joy of storytelling and community art.

 

Raquel Robles, Art Instructor and Puppet Maker

“We only have two weeks left here”

 

Tanya Arceo

How long have you been here?

 

Raquel Robles

“Two weeks ago we’ve been coming here since twenty thirteen only the pandemic stopped us completely but we come every year and it’s a new and revitalizing experience, we leave our talent with talented people”

 

She’s known to many as Payasita Raquelin, and she’s bringing big energy and even bigger creativity to the Bliss. Raquelin Robles Pacheco, along with storyteller Jesús Cocido, is leading an exciting theatre camp that’s all about puppetry, costume design, and storytelling magic. Their immersive workshops have brought together more than twenty librarians from across the country, all eager to learn and create.

 

Raquel Robles

“As an instructor you fight to bring children into the world of art before, we used to take them off the streets so they could study. Now you have to pull them away from their homes just to get them to learn because unfortunately many parents let their children grow up with their phones — using them as entertainment simply because it’s easier to keep them quiet. I believe that a parent should be deeply concerned about this here at The Bliss Kim Vasquez is concerned about this situation which is why she promotes this type of workshop so that children can be more creative, more engaged and more independent.”

 

Tanya Arceo for News Five