Christmas is just around the corner and the Vatican is getting prepared with this year’s nativity scene from Grado, an historic seaside town near Venice.
The nativity scene is hand-made and is representative of the local community.
Mayor of the town of Grado, Giuseppe Corbatto said it is a reflection of the island reality.
“We tried to reconstruct what would be a small island in our lagoon, with a typical construction that we call Casone here,” he said.
“It is a hut made of mud, bricks and straw. Inside it will be the representation of the Nativity. We will try to recreate this small island in St Peter’s Square, incorporating also the local vegetation and the fauna.
“The statues, of course, are made of clay, and will have a weight, a special character, something different from what is usually expected. It is, in effect, a piece of our city being moved there.”
The Nativity scene was crafted by 40 volunteers and the town of Grado has been fully involved in this project.
“There were about forty volunteers here, all professionals and craftsmen: craftsmen, dock makers, and master carpenters in charge of creating the typical flat-bottomed boats, since the canals in the lagoon are very shallow, with only a few inches of water,” said Antonio Boemo, project Manager of the Nativity scene.
“There were also fishermen, who were in charge of making the nets, and, of course, the artists, who made the statues.”
Inspired by everyday life in Grado during the early years of the 20th century, the Nativity scene also has a specifically unique element.
“The Three Wise Men arrive at the Nativity scene, right in front of the mud hut, the cabin, aboard one of the two little boats that are part of the scenery,” Antonio said.
This special element, and many more surprises, will be on display in St Peter’s Square from 7 December.
