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