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Tchantchès, sometimes stylized as Tchantchèt, is a puppet-show character from the folklore of the town of Liège, Belgium.

Summary 1	Folkloric origins of the Liège puppet 1.1	Origins of the name 2	The character 3	Tchantchès in comics 3.1	Albums 4	Representations 5	Notes and references 5.1	Bibliography 6	See also 6.1	Linked articles 6.2	References

Folkloric origins of the Liège puppet At the beginning of the 19th century, the origin of the Liège puppet was often mistakenly attributed to a Sicilian man (actually Tuscan) named Conti, who had established a theatre for Sicilian-style puppets (controlled by a metal rod) in the Outremeuse neighbourhood of Liège in 1854. The puppets were fathered on Conti after World War II, on the basis of Dieudonné Salme's novel Li Houlot, although no one really knows where they originated. What is certain is that according to other writings, there are attestations of Liège puppets before Conti's arrival in the city. Some journalists who have investigated the subject, such as Alexis Deitz or Auguste Hock, speak of a first sedentary theatre with this type of puppetry in the Outremeuse district in 1826.

All popular literary works of the 19th century were played in these theaters. Chivalric novels of the "Blue collection" published by Larousse in particular, most often transcribing medieval chansons de geste about the chivalrous Charlemagne into prose. A character called Tchantchès would appear between scenes. Liège audiences, especially those from the working class, grew very fond of him, quickly promoting Tchantchès from interludes to sharing centre stage with the character of Charlemagne. As the romantics of the time wished to promote Charlemagne in the Liège region, Tchantchès never had to go far to come across him.

Origins of the name According to Maurice Piron, among others, the name Tchantchès derives from the Walloon pronunciation ("D'jan tchès") of the Flemish equivalent of "Johnny" ("Jantches").

There are many variant spellings of this name (Chanchet, Tchantchet, Jantches, Jeanches ...), especially in employment lists from coalmines and in popular newspapers of the time. This is easily explained by the fact that the Walloon language was written as it was pronounced, with no fixed spelling rules until the mid-1950s.

Walloon spelling rules were codified by Jean Haust, making "Tchantchès" the official spelling of the puppet's name. The same spelling is inscribed on the monument by Joseph Zommers built in Outremeuse in 1937, to the detriment of the more popular "Tchanchèt".

At around the same time, in the late 1950s, Liège politicians working in cultural affairs made it official that the meaning of Tchantchès came from a childish alteration of the name "François" in true Walloon fashion, although in Liège literature, François translates as "Françwès".

The character The character is a folkloric figure, emblematic of Liège; in particular of the Outremeuse district. It was originally a rod puppet representing the audience coming to the puppet theater. In the 1920s, following the disappearance of "bourgeois" theaters (intended for the wealthiest social classes, closed down due to their audience finding other forms of entertainment), only working class theaters remained. Tchantchès' costume became fixed: black and white plaid trousers, blue smock, red scarf with white polka dots, and black cap. This is the typical costume of labourers in the late 19th and early 20th century in northern Europe.

Representations of Tchantchès from before 1900, preserved in the museum of Walloon life. His costume was not yet the one known today. The puppet was dressed according to the audience attending the show.

Tchantchès also sports the red-nose typical of a lover of "peket" (the local dram in Liège).

The first sightings of this character can be traced back to around 1860, in Léopold Leloup's theatre on Rue Roture. This theatre was popular with medical students. Tchantchès' ascension to centre stage can be attributed to these students who constituted a big part of the audience.

Léopold Leloup in his puppet theatre, around 1880

In terms of character, he embodies the rebellious spirit of the people of Liège who, at the time of his creation in the mid-19th century, had just kicked out the Dutch, not long after having done the same to the prince-bishops: Tchantchès is not impressed by hierarchic titles and crowns, he is courageous and determined, thirsty for freedom but also sensitive to glory. This archetype of the gentleman from Liège needed a female counterpart: Nanesse, his wife, was created. She wears the trousers in the relationship, and her revolutionary husband had better behave, as her frying pan is not just for making pancakes. This fictional relationship is an ironic nod to Albert de Cuyck's decree stipulating that in Liège, "A gentleman is king in his own home".

Tchantchès in comics Tchantchès' character has been adapted into comics many times.

The first time was in July 1940 by Al Peclers, in the form of a daily strip in the newspaper La Légia. Tchantchès starred in 3 stories (The Adventures of Tchantchès, Tchantchès in the Far-West, and Tchantchès and the conspirators) which were published as separate comic books shortly afterwards, courtesy of Gordinne publishing house.

A second adaptation was made in 1988, published by Khani, with their first Tchantchès comic book, comprising several short stories drawn by François Walthéry. Then came a second comic book: "Tchantchès, the Street Kid", published by Noir Dessin Productions in 1995.