Toruń, 11th Dec 2010 - 31st Jan 2011

Ethnographic Museum by Maria Znamierowska-Prüfferowa in Toruń opened an exhibition of Christmas cribs from around the world. Holiday exhibits thrill and move as a testimony of ethnic beliefs.

World cribs exhibition („Szopki świata”) comes from the collection of the Jesus Association Museum of the Polish Southern Suburbs in Stara Wieś - Sub-Carpathian region (Podkarpacie). The collection of more than one hundred cribs was inspired by some 19th century figurines found in the attic of Jesuits monastery in Stara Wieś. These belong to the oldest, just like the cribs from Germany inspired by sketches Albrecht Dürer.

A numerous collection astonishes with a minutely reflected architecture, and care to present the reality of the daily life of the time. Among many, those from Naples and Gubbio are the largest - the manger makes an intrinsic part of the city landscape. Someone works, while others relax, some are carrying buckets full of water, a girl is grazing geese, a cook makes pizza. You may admire the charming tiny cribs from the glass factory in Murano and a wooden crib brought from Italy by cardinal Dziwisz. 

But the most attractive are apparently the exotic exhibits from Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, the US, the Philippines, Zambia, Madagascar, you name it. These surprise with the image of the Holy family and the ambience of Christmas, so much different from the one we are familiar with. We may see the Child in a Peruvian ear-flapped hat  and a headdress, St. Joseph and Virgin Mary wearing colourful necklaces, palm leaves dresses, in Mexican sombreros. There is a Child sleeping in an American Indian Tepee, another one on the beach under the palm tree or in the boat. Guarded not just by sheep but lamas ;) 

The cribs are not only 3dimensional and have different forms. The one from Philippines looks like a puzzle, there is one from Italy in the form of a candlestick, a crib in a whiskey bottle from Madagascar and many more.  

Among many, the collection also presents beautiful Polish cribs. 
Translated from: www.etnomuzeum.pl/pl/wystawa-szopki-swiata

Fot. Marian Kosicki