Andina

Peru's Christmas Nativity Scene at Vatican sends faith message to world

Photo: ANDINA/Diffusion

Photo: ANDINA/Diffusion

16:55 | Vatican City, Dec. 10.

The Christmas Nativity Scene from Chopcca —a community in the Peruvian Andean region of Huancavelica— already illuminates with faith St. Peter's Square at the Vatican where it will be on display for 45 days and put Peru in the spotlight at the international level.

The inauguration ceremony was held Friday at Paul VI Audience Hall of the Holy See because of heavy rain falling on the city, which led to changing the official event.

At 5:54 p.m. (local time), the Christmas tree and Chopcca's Nativity Scene were lit, which can now be observed by more than 100 million people from around the world.

The ceremony was attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Oscar MaurtuaPeru's Exports and Tourism Promotion Board (PromPeru) Executive-President Amora Carbajal, Huancavelica Region Governor Maciste Diaz, Huancavelica Bishop Carlos Salcedo, and Peruvian artisans representative Manuel Breña, among others. 

Minister Maurtua thanked the Holy See on behalf of the Government, the President of the Republic Pedro Castillo, the Peruvian people, and his own for allowing Chopcca's Nativity Scene to be exhibited at St. Peter's Square.


In turn, Governor Diaz first addressed the residents of his region and expressed satisfaction over this achievement. Likewise, he invited people from around the globe to visit this Andean area and the various parts of Peru.

Following the ceremony, the PromPeru executive-president affirmed that "this is an activity of enormous spiritual significance which ratifies the good relations existing with the Vatican State in the context of our Independence Bicentennial."

"This presentation will also drive the interest in the peoples of Peru. We are sure that the world will take a closer look at the Peruvian cultural heritage and the talent of our artisans," she added.

Moreover, the official argued that Huancavelica's Nativity Scene will put our country once again in the spotlight for the whole world to see, thus highlighting our Andean heritage, as well as Peruvian artisans' talent, biodiversity, and geographic diversity.

Carbajal also noted that this presentation is the outcome of joint efforts undertaken by Huancavelica Region Government, the Bishopric of Huancavelica, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Peru to Holy See, and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) through PromPeru's specialized work.

(END) PBQ/MAO/MVB

Publicado: 10/12/2021