‘Shopka’ created by a Ukrainian nun made of eco-friendly materials is presented in the Vatican at the exhibition ‘100 nativity scenes’
Two nativity scenes from Ukraine made by the students of the Ternopil art school were featured in the 37th exhibition "100 nativity scenes", held in 2012, among 150 exhibits from more than 25 countries of the world. The current exhibition once again features a Christmas shop from Ukraine.
This is reported by Vatican Radio.
We are referring to the work of the Ukrainian nun Sister Theodosia Plakhotniuc, who made this nativity crib from eco-friendly materials with her own hands. The composition, where you can see the forests of the Ukrainian Carpathians and the village of Mnogopillya in the Donetsk region, where the Skete is located, in which the author until recently performed her monastic feat, symbolically reflect the spirit of Christmas from the East to the west of Ukraine.
The exhibition will open on Sunday, December 13, 2020, at 16:30 Roman time. The art program on this occasion was organized by the Embassy of Ukraine to the Holy See, attracting representatives of the Ukrainian community of Rome. Romans and tourists will have the opportunity to see the exhibition until Sunday, January 10, 2021. Thanks to the support of patrons, admission to the exhibition is free.
Since 1976, an exhibition has been held in Rome during the Christmas period, designed to support and popularize the tradition of Christmas nativity crib. Its name indicates a historical aspect, referring to the number of exhibits that were displayed during its first issues.
Today, visitors can see a much larger number of works of "nativity crib" art in its various stylistic expressions. The initiative was launched by the editorial board of the magazine "Rivista delle Nazioni", but due to the fact that in recent years it has become increasingly difficult to collect the necessary resources, and it is no longer possible to maintain the exhibition with the funds received for tickets, there is a threat of its curtailment. The Pontifical Council decided to support the artistic initiative by promoting the New Evangelization, taking it under its care.
Considering the general requirements of infection prevention, this year's exhibition has moved to fresh air and is equipped under the Bernini colonnade surrounding St. Peter's square.
The exhibition is updated annually. The works come from several dozen countries around the world: from classical and precious nativity cribs of the Neapolitan School of the XVIII century to compositions made by children or people with special needs. The material is also different: coral and silver, porcelain and glass, bronze and ceramics, wood, wrought iron, papier-mache and recycled materials, etc.
