However, in some periods this tradition has been replaced by other habits that were not part of Italian culture and costumes. In the 60s and in the 70s, for example, the tradition imported from Nordic countries of decorating Christmas trees was becoming more important than that of building cribs, and it is for this reason that in those years, in particular in 1976, Rome hosted the first edition of an exhibition that takes place still nowadays in Rome in Christmas time, and that was meant to support and promote the tradition of building cribs.



The exhibition One hundred Nativity Scenes (the name comes from the number of cribs that were displayed during the first edition), which takes place every year in the Sale del Bramante, in the Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo, is held in three rooms (350 m?), and in fact hosts around 200 nativity scenes coming from various Italian regions and from all over the world. The event is considered as one of the most important cribs exhibitions in Italy just because it is not geographically limited, unlike many other similar exhibitions that are very often focused on the works realised in a limited area.

This event is particularly appealing also because it hosts many kinds of different cribs, from the classical to the most innovative ones, the latter characterised by fanciful features, strange locations or atypical materials. Each year, indeed, new and different cribs are displayed, which are realised by artisans and artists, cultural associations and national and international institutions, but also by amateurs and kids, and the cribs they build have different sizes (from the miniature size of some cribs realised in hazel shells to life-sized scenes) and are realised with different materials: ceramics, porcelain, papier-m'ch?, wood, but also recycled materials and food like chocolate, corn, and bread. Location too might vary: some scene are located in usual spaces, while others are inserted in more original frames, such as televisions and demijohns. Space will be given also to ancient cribs, with statues and scenes coming from private collections and museums, which will give visitors the possibility to discover not only the latest innovations in the field, but also ancient works.

An evidence of the importance of the event is given by the fact that also foreigners are interested in it (the exhibition attracts every year 65,000 visitors, and many come from abroad), and its value is highlighted by the opening ceremony, which always hosts clerical, but also lay and diplomatic authorities, who join together in an event that is meant to promote the tradition of cribs also abroad, as well as to point out the importance of the nativity scene not only as a decoration, but above all as a symbol for basic values, such as family, peace and fraternity.

Art plays a predominant role in Rome, and the cribs exhibition can be considered as a small part of the city's artistic heritage. Come and discover the beauties of the city, but book in advance your cheap hotel in Rome: the city always attracts many tourists in Christmas time.

Date: 27th November 2008 - 6th January 2009

Location: Sale del Bramante, Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome, Italy