Nativities from all over the world in Cermenate

The “Nativities from around the world” exhibition has opened again this year at the Friars Minor Convent in Cermenate (CO – Italy) as part of the ATS pro Terra Sancta Christmas campaign supporting the charity work of Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land in Bethlehem. The exhibition includes nativities from all over the world: in terracotta from Argentina, Armenia and the Czech Republic, in boiled wool from Iceland, coloured wood from Germany and one made from seed pods from Honduras. The nativities are made from non-commercial, simple materials and were acquired mainly in their country of origin.

The exhibition also includes several nativities made by pupils from Cermenate secondary schools, and shepherd and sheep figures made by pupils from primary schools guide visitors in. Through this initiative we would like to “represent” the spirit of Christmas in different cultures so that people may contemplate the Mystery of Christmas through the eyes of Saint Francis of Assisi, if only for a moment.

The exhibition is open every day until 6 January from 3 pm until 6.30 pm. On Saturday and Sunday it is also open in the morning from 11 am until 12.30 pm. The exhibition will be brought to a close on the day of the Epiphany with the arrival of the Wise Men during 5 o’ clock mass in the convent church. Special thanks go to Maria Comi, the Franciscan Friars and the Cermenate group of friends.