Someone prefers to buy a nativity scene at Christmas markets or in a store, ready-made, and someone prefers to make it with their own hands, at home. Carved from wood or cardboard figures of the main characters of the Christmas Story, painted in bright colors, symbolizing the Bright Holiday, cannot but please the eyes of both adults and children, regardless of religion. What is a vertep? What is its history in Russia and in other countries? Let's try to tell in this article.
Christmas nativity scene in Europe
In Christian Europe, to this day, there is a good old tradition of believers - to install a nativity scene in their homes as a metaphorical reminder of events that took place more than two thousand years ago. Christ is born! Praise Him!
In Russia
What is a nativity scene in Russia? Here is a similar practiceexisted everywhere until the revolutionary coup of the Bolsheviks, which plunged the great country into anti-religious chaos and obscurantism. In 1917, when anti-Christian propaganda began, and until the 80s of the 20th century, the celebration of religious rites (and the celebration of the Nativity of Christ was considered one of the main ones) became almost impossible, at least legally or publicly.
Rebirth
In the past few decades, the celebration of Christmas in general and the tradition of the nativity scene in particular have been revived. The nativity scene is very popular, and not only among believing Christians. This is because it is a global symbol, not only religious and metaphysical, but also social and existential. His versatility has played a big part in his worldwide popularity.
A little more history
The literal translation of the word from Old Slavonic is a cave. This word is used to name the place where Christ appeared as a born man. The Cave of the Nativity is located in Bethlehem. Moreover, the birthplace of the Savior is marked with a commemorative inscription and a star. A little in the distance is the limit of the manger, where the Blessed Virgin laid the baby. The niche, where the manger, taken to Rome, was previously located, is lined with marble. This one and only nativity scene became the prototype of all subsequent ones. This is what a nativity scene is in the original sense of the word.
“The Bible for the Illiterate”
Over time, craftsmen began to make nativity scenes from papier-mâché, wood, plaster, clay, porcelain. As a rule, uncomplicated, but refined, theyspread throughout the countries of the Christian world as the most significant symbol of Christmas. Reproducing scenes from the Testament, they played a huge educational role among illiterate peasants. And then in other sectors of society. And in Italy (already in the 13th century), living dens began to appear, ordinary people played the roles of characters there. Such a nativity scene is still popular in Catholic countries, and on the territory of the former USSR - in Western Ukraine.
Nativity scene device
What is a Nativity scene? Actually, it is a large box (sometimes - in human height and above). Portable, made of plywood, thin boards or thick cardboard. And the nativity scene is multi-tiered. Usually two or three. To better understand what a nativity scene is, consider a two-tier structure. The upper tier is called the sky, or the cave. Christ was born there. The interior decoration of the top tier is blue paper, usually with stars cut out of shiny foil. The back wall depicted Christmas scenes. There are also dolls of the characters of the Holy Family - the Virgin, Joseph, Jesus. Various scenes were played out: the good news of the Angels, the worship of the Magi and the shepherds, the flight to Egypt.
Interestingly, in the Ukrainian and Belarusian Orthodox traditions, no movements and manipulations with dolls depicting the Holy Family were allowed. Only figurines of animals, shepherds, magi could move. And the Angels spoke on behalf of the Lord.
The lower tier of the den was called the earth, or the palace. The palace of Herod, the king, was depicted. Here the scenery is simplepasted over with pictures or painted pictures. Figurines were usually missing.
Sometimes the figures were large, and the design was stationary. Here is such a wooden nativity scene (photo below).
The front side of the box, turned towards the audience, was covered with shutters or a brightly colored cloth. Special slots were made in the floor of the tier so that the dolls could move along them on special rods. So that the slots were not so noticeable, the floor was sheathed with fur. At the top, lamps were sometimes attached to illuminate the stage in the evening (formerly oil or kerosene, now battery-powered or batteries).
Dolls were made quite simply: they were cut out of plywood, wood, molded from clay or papier-mâché. Usually the height of the dolls was up to twenty centimeters and above - otherwise they would not have been noticeable from afar. Now you know how to make a nativity scene with your own hands: variations on the theme can be different if you want to make it for the Christmas holidays and please your children and friends with scenes.
