2012-12-13 13:22:56

2012 Nativity scene brings taste of Southern Italy to St Peter's Square


(Vatican Radio) Every year the Nativity scene in St Peter’s Square is always a closely guarded secret with pilgrims and tourists alike speculating what the finished work will look like. This Christmas the birthplace of Jesus has been offered by the Basilicata region of Southern Italy and will feature the Holy Family in a re-creation of Matera’s famed sassi.
The city of ancient cave dwellings is a UN World Heritage site and has been the location for numerous films.

Vatican workers will take charge of the construction of the scene but the task of decorating the scenery and the terracotta figures has fallen to Italian artist Francesco Artese.
Artese is no stranger to this kind of work, his Nativity scenes or “Presepi” have taken pride of place in cities such as New York and Washington D.C.

Speaking at the presentation of this year’s scene at the Holy See Press Office on Thursday, the Secretary General of the Governatorate of Vatican City State, Bishop Giuseppe Sciacca said at least two aims had been realized in choosing this years Nativity Scene; firstly it was giving visibility to a small but beautiful region of Italy and secondly the Vatican was saving money.

The Nativity scene will be unveiled in St Peter’s Square on Christmas Eve. Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report RealAudioMP3









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