Colourful tradition

Many Christmas traditions are for some reasons often linked with the Advent. One can thus commence the festive time still in November. However, the common tendency for those who start in late autumn is to finish before the New Year. Personally, I do not celebrate until the Christmas Eve, but – as in most Catholic countries from Central and Eastern part of Europe – the festive season lasts till 2nd February. Among other traditions, there is one that I’m especially proud of and I continue from the time I was a child.

It is a Cracovian custom of building nativity scenes. This particular type is restricted to Krakow and they are constructed only here. As one can read in a booklet “The nativity scenes are Kraków and Poland in a miniature, as revealed by the national symbols and historical figures that populate them.”

The tradition of building nativity scenes dates back to the 19th century, when they were made by craftsmen from the suburbs and villages nearby Krakow. The wooden constructions were used to decorate the homes and also utilised as portable puppet theatres, where nativity scenes were performed. The local tradition was to place in the Bethlehem stable modern people: farmers, shoemakers and others. The play was performed with live music and was recounting stories of history and everyday life. The tradition of building these scenes and of performing was passed down the generations.

When I was a child the tradition of playing these scenes was almost dead and I know nobody who remembers the Nativity Scenes performed by local craftsmen. It had finished shortly before the WW II, but in 1937 the Nativity Scene Contest was launched. It is organized in early December. The first Thursday of the Month all makers gather on the Main Market Square and the contest officially starts: every participant shows his or her nativity scene publicly. Shortly afterwards, on Sunday, the winners are announced. The artworks are not exhibited until Christmas. The exposition is usually open to visitors for the next two months. You can get insight into the work of nativity scene makers from this short movie.

It usually takes place in the main building of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków. This year, however, it is shown in the Celestat, it was therefore yet another possibility to have a nice walk.

What's more, it is now the third year in a row when selected nativity scenes are presented in display windows of local shops and restaurants. Also a large collection of these scenes is stored in the Historical Museum.

As always, this year I enjoyed the exposition very much. I have my favourite artists and participants and I'm looking forward to seeing their new works every year. I hope that the tradition of performing the plays, which – as far as I know - is fostered by only one family, will continue and flourish.

I love the exhibition as an event and I try not to see the false lustre .and the fact that some of the scenes tend to border on kitsch.

And regarding knitting, it reminds me of the kite shawls I knitted recently from sock leftovers: very colourful, a bit childish in look but fancy and brightening the gloomy day!