Official Opening of the 8th edition of the “100 Nativity Scenes in the Vatican", on Monday, December 8
The 8th annual edition of the International Exhibition "100 Nativity Scenes in the Vatican" is back this year as part of the "Jubilee is Culture" season. The exhibition brings together works by artists from all over the world who have shown their creativity in producing Nativity scenes. The inauguration of the Exhibition, which is open to all, will be held on Monday, December 8th at 4:00 pm under the left-hand Colonnade of Bernini, in St. Peter's Square in Rome, where the Exhibition will be located. This unique setting places the numerous nativity scenes, which are all real works of art in their own right, in a setting that invites visitors to marvel at the traditional scene of the Nativity of Jesus and to give thanks for the grace of the Holy Year experienced in recent months.
The Exhibition will be inaugurated by His Excellency Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization who has been responsible for organizing the Jubilee. The Archbishop will be joined by several members of the Dicastery. The ceremony will be animated by traditional folk music organized by the Mexican Embassy to the Holy See. This year, 132 nativity scenes will be on display, from 23 countries, including many European countries such as Italy, France, Croatia, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, and Switzerland. Also represented are countries from further afield such as the United States, Peru, Eritrea, Korea, Venezuela, Taiwan, Brazil, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Paraguay, and India. Many of these nations are represented by their respective embassies to the Holy See, who have promoted the event in their countries. Examples include the Embassies of Mexico, France, Croatia, Indonesia, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Paraguay, and the Czech Republic.
The nativity scenes reflect the inspiration and imagination of the artists who created them using a wide variety of materials, including Japanese paper, silk, resin, polystyrene, wool, coconut and banana fiber, and glass. Among the artifacts, originating from around the world, is one made in a tannery drum, another on the front of a Roman bus, a large nativity scene depicting a "vanished" Rome, several mechanical nativity scenes, nativity scenes in bottles from the Jindřichův Hradec Museum in the Czech Republic and a large traditional Mexican nativity scene.
The Exhibition will be open from 4:00 pm on Monday, December 8, 2024, to 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Admission is free, with no reservation required. The Exhibition will be open daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, except December 24 and December 31, when it will close at 5:00 pm. Last admission is always no later than 15 minutes before closing time. Volunteers from the Dicastery for Evangelization will be on hand throughout the event to provide a welcome service.
The organizers are grateful to Urban Vision Group for the installation of the impressive maxi-LED screens adjacent to Bernini's colonnade in St. Peter's Square, which will frame the entrance to the Exhibition. As an Official Supporter of the 2025 Jubilee 2025, the company has provided a high-impact technological contribution to support and enhance the visitor experience.
"Supporting an event like '100 Nativity Scenes in the Vatican' is a great honor for us. It's a reminder of our faith and the origins of Christmas," said Gianluca De Marchi, CEO of Urban Vision Group.
He added: "For over 20 years, we have dedicated ourselves to protecting and regenerating the historical, ecclesiastical, and artistic heritage of our cities. Today, through technical innovation, we are putting our expertise at the service of the community of believers and taking part in a spiritual and cultural journey which unites history, tradition, and brings together peoples from all around the world, all the while continuing our broader commitment to the 2025 Jubilee."