The Royal Castle in Warsaw invites for a grand exhibition of Kraków cribs. This is the biggest presentation of Kraków cribs in Warsaw's history, with 50 hand-crafted nativity scenes from the collection of the Museum of Kraków, as well as the Markowski collection and a number of other private collections.
A unique symbol that represents the Nativity of Jesus in the scenery of historical buildings of the southern Polish city, the constructions are modelled on Cracovian architecture: mainly on the Franciscan Church, St.Mary's Basilica, the Cloth Hall and the Royal Wawel Castle. As well as the Holy Family, the scenes feature famous or legendary local figures, including the Dragon of Wawel Hill, man in the Moon Pan Twardowski and the dancing Lajkonik.
Additionally, the exhibition presents recorded interviews with makers, also taken from the archives of the Museum of Kraków.
Since 1937, the most beautiful Christmas crib has been chosen annually in Kraków, in a competition held in the first days of December. The makers present their creations around the Adam Mickiewicz monument in the Old Town Square, and carry them in a parade to the Museum of Kraków for judging. The winning entries are then exhibited at the Museum.
In 2018, the tradition of making the Christmas cribs was inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The exhibition at the Royal Castle in Warsaw is open until February 2.
Source: IAR