The nativity

Nativity scenes around the world

In Grignan it is tradition at the Provençal Miniature Village to install the Christmas nativity scene at the beginning of December, on the first Sunday of Advent and to remove it at the beginning of February for the Candlemas festival.

At this time, visitors to the village insist that the presence of the nativity be maintained for longer.

This year, as in previous years, we have decided to continue the exhibition on Nativity Scenes of the World with an exhibition of 375 nativity scenes.

This year we are focusing on Italy, a country full of riches and contrasts. Where in 1223 in the village of Greccio, Saint Francis of Assisi staged the first living nativity scene, the origin of the tradition.

You will discover from north to south, the nativity scenes from Bolzano, Padua, Assisi, Borgo a mazzano, then further south, those from Puglia and Lecce, Naples and the majestic Neapolitan nativity scenes, so many regions and nativity scenes. More than 15 pieces in different colors and materials.

Around the Italian crèches you will find the crèches of the World. From the Irish wool nativity scene, to the bronze nativity scene from Burkina Faso, from the Puglia nativity scene in Italy to the wooden nativity scene from Rwanda, Congo or Germany, from the paper nativity scenes from Spain to the nativity scene Neapolitan, all illustrate the same faith. In Peru, the crèche is a balanced mix of religion and daily life. The figurines are often made with potato starch, hence their fragility.

Austria and the German-speaking countries favor wood, while the nativity scenes of Madagascar are often made of rosewood, those of Mexico in ceramic or terracotta and those of Africa in ebony, bronze, and recovery products. Eastern countries with gold paper nativity scenes from Krakow, ceramic Warsaw and wooden altarpiece, Bratislava, Budapest, corn husk nativity scenes.

Whether from Italy, Spain or various countries in Europe, Korea or South America, without forgetting Africa, the nativity scenes around the world are splendid. So many countries, so many different traditions of shaping figurines and characters. A work that remains traditional and artisanal.

All these nativity scenes are placed in the Provencal Miniature Village within the santon exhibition, thus creating a special atmosphere and allowing you to discover a nativity scene from another place on the corner of a house and a street.