|
CRIB EXHIBITION
Karol Estreicher wrote about one of Cracow's unique traditions in his famous guide of 1938 thus: "At Christmas time, Cracow bricklayers and young boys walk from house to house with a Christmas Crib, a star, the figure of a turoń [a cross between a ram and a bull] and sing carols. The Cracow Nativity Crib is usually a fanciful paper model with a small stage occupied by figurines: a highlander, a Jew, a Cossack, Herod and others." This subsequently became a nationwide custom, Estreicher continued, having been popularized in Cracow in the second quarter of the 19th century. It was was adapted to the needs of street carolers by a Cracow man of letters, and in this way, the tradition of the Cracow Nativity Crib was established. It was cherished especially by bricklayers, who, jobless in winter, could earn some additional money."
According to historical records, the first nativity scene was staged by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223. The custom quickly spread from Franciscan monasteries across Europe and then through the entire Christian world. Christmas cribs differ from each other depending on the continent, country or even city in which they are made. The Cracow nativity scene has made an international name for itself. It is truly unique: colorful and sparkly, combining the memory of the Bethlehem miracle with characteristic Cracow features. Traditionally, the nativity scene is placed on the upper floor of the church-like model, dominating the shepherds and figures from Polish history and literature, famous artists and even politicians below. An important feature of the Cracow Christmas crib is its ability to project the unique climate of the city. Its makers are inspired by motifs of Cracow's historic buildings and monuments. The elements most often used are the towers of the Mariacki Church, the Floriańska Gate, the Barbican, the Town Hall Tower and Wawel Castle. Architectural elements are combined with each other in a free, fanciful manner.
Early in the morning of Dec. 4 this year, crib-makers started to arrive at the market square and place their masterpieces at the foot of the monument to Adam Mickiewicz. They were taking part in the 56th competition for the most beautiful Christmas crib, organized by the Historical Museum of the City of Cracow. On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Mickiewicz's birth this year, many cribs featured not only the bard himself but also characters from his works. They were accompanied by characters from Henryk Sienkiewicz's With Fire and Sword (as all Poland is awaiting the screen version of this historical novel). Some cribs featured the fountain from Mariacki Square, the figures of Tadeusz Kościuszko and the Lajkonik (who legendarily saved Cracow from the Turks), while in others you could see the arcades of Wawel Castle and, at the very top, another legendary Cracovian, Pan Twardowski on a rooster. In many cases, the Holy Family was guarded by the Wawel Dragon. After hearing the bugle-call from the tower of Mariacki Church, the crib-makers moved their masterpieces to the museum at the opposite side of the market square where they were enlivened with lights and various mechanisms.
A total of 155 works were submitted to the competition this year. Two thirds were made by children. The oldest participant was in his 70s and the youngest just seven. The largest nativity scenes were over 2-m-high, the smallest could be held in one's hand. Some of them enchanted the viewers with their detailed and meticulous work, others with their childlike imagination. The colored paper, once used to make the Christmas cribs, was replaced by metal foil, the kind used for chocolate bar packagings. Materials for a crib can be selected freely: paper, fabrics, modeling clay, sequins or anything else to enchant the viewers and the judges.
Anna Szałapak, a curator at the Historical Museum and one of the brightest stars of the Piwnica Pod Baranami cabaret said: "In Cracow, the Jesus-Child was born in a palace." Asked why, in her opinion, so many people spend months creating the meticulous structures, she replied, "I do not know, but I myself certainly wouldn't have enough patience." On Sunday, Dec. 6, cash prizes were awarded. They were won by experienced crib-makers, one of whom has taken part in the competition for 49 years!. Most of those awarded declared they would spend the money to buy materials necessary for next year's crib.
The Cracow nativity scenes submitted for the competition are displayed at Krzysztofory Palace, the museum's headquarters. Their originality is additionally emphasized by an exhibition of traditional, austere Christmas cribs on the first floor of the museum. Apart from the wooden, slightly rough folk cribs from Jacek Łodziński's collection, the exhibition also features cribs made of glass and plaster. On display are also angels, including copies of chubby Baroque putti, slim, white and navy blue ceramic creatures, and angels painted on glass. They are accompanied by angels formed of rock salt, paper, wood, and fabric.
Edyta Gajewska
Historical Museum of the City of Cracow, 35 Rynek Główny Sq.; 2nd floor: The Cracow Nativity Crib-Post-Competition Exhibition (Szopka krakowska-wystawa pokonkursowa); 1st floor: Bethlehem Nativity Scenes and Angels (Szopki betlejemskie i anioły), open from Tue. to Sat., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]