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The Presepio in Eastern Europe
In Hungary the Presepio, called Bethlehem, is portable. It
can be in the shape of a church, a stable or a little chest with curtains
and varies in height from 25 to 150 cm. A candle burns in front and
the doors or curtains open wide to show the figures sometimes cut
out of paper, or fashioned of wood or clay and then decorated with
cotton wool. The Presepio is carried from house to house by children
called Bethlehemsek, some dressed as angels, who sing and dance.
In Russia the Presepio, called Wertep, consists of a neo-classical
style chest with two levels decorated with a Christmas Star and animated
with puppets. The story is told while the people admire the scenes
portrayed. The upper level shows the religious scene: the adoration
of the Magi, the massacre of the Holy Innocents and the death of Herod.
The lower floor offers amusing scenes of daily life which are very
popular. It would seem that the texts for the Wertep were written
by students of Kiev Academy, who were very familiar with the tastes
and customs of the ordinary people. The Wertep gained in popularity,
spreading from Ukraine, to Little Russia then to Belo-Russia, Siberia
and eventually to Moscow.
In Poland the Szopka is built in the shape of a cathedral and
decorated with silver-paper of different colours. It has three parts:
the upper level shows angels blowing trumpets and announcing the birth
of Jesus, the centre level shows the Nativity scene and the lower
level shows Polish peasants, shepherds with sheep and oxen, and the
Three Wise men. Portable Szopke are carried from house to house by
children who sing carols called Colende, and receive chocolate and
money in return.
In Slovenia, since early 19th century the Alpine peoples have
a traditional Family Presepio. In the living room of every farmhouse
there is a Holy Corner with a shelf on which, during the year, the
family Crucifix stands. At Christmas time the shelf is covered with
moss to make a hill with the town of Bethlehem on its crest and the
stable with the Nativity scene at its foot. The scene is held in place
with a special decorated board about 70cm long and 35cm high. It is
thought that initially this was simply a woman's headscarf or shawl,
which was then later replaced with a richly embroidered board. .
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News 2004