In the heart of Miraflores, Lima city, the Christmas spirit is so alive thanks to Miriam Valencia, a passionate collector who has gathered more than 340 nativity sets from Peru and across the world. She has transformed the first floor of her house into a magical space brimming with tradition and wonder.
Her love for nativity scenes began 33 years ago with a special piece: the baby Jesus figure from a nativity set which was present at her father’s funeral. In her attempt to replace it, she purchased a more modern set but kept both, starting a tradition that has grown into a vast and culturally rich collection.
Over time, his passion grew. "Following a tradition of my father's, every year I gave something to baby Jesus. At first they were Santa Clauses, but during a visit to the fairs I came across the Chincha and Trujillo nativity scenes. Seeing the ingenuity of the artisans, I decided to change that tradition and give him different nativity scenes," she told the Andina Agency.
Although she never imagined she would reach to collect so many, today he has a vast variety of nativity scenes that narrate the arrival of baby Jesus from different cultural and artistic perspectives.
A global and Peruvian perspective
Miriam’s collection includes nativity scenes that reflect both regional and international cultures. Highlights from Peru include figures dressed in traditional attire, such as the Three Wise Men in Huancavelica's scissor dance costume or Trujillo’s Virgin Mary in a marinera dress. A section dedicated to the Amazon showcases a water feature and exotic animals.
Internationally, the collection features nativity scenes from India, Spain, Jamaica, Portugal, Egypt, and more. One notable piece is the Chilean nativity, inspired by the 33 miners trapped in the San José mine.
The collection also includes unique miniature nativities crafted inside quail eggs, mango seeds, aguaymanto shells, and even a traditional Andean sandal. Recent additions pay homage to the pandemic era, with figures wearing masks.
This year’s standout piece is a 100-year-old baby Jesus figure, inherited from her grandmother. It features real hair and teeth, a mirrored palate, and glass eyes, making it one of the collection’s most treasured items.
A Christmas experience like no other
Each year, Miriam transforms her home into an immersive Christmas journey, with themed rooms ranging from the North Pole to Arequipa’s volcanoes and Peru’s vibrant jungle. The elaborate setup, which spans seven rooms, takes over a month to assemble.
Her dream is to achieve a Guinness World Record for her unique effort in dedicating an entire home floor to a nativity display, far surpassing the typical table or garage setups.
With more than 2,000 individual pieces, Miriam’s collection continues to grow. Her goal is to preserve and celebrate the true spirit of Christmas, sharing a message of unity and hope while showcasing cultural diversity through her nativity scenes.
“It’s a way to revive the true essence of Christmas,” Miriam says, as she welcomes visitors to her home, inspiring them to cherish this timeless tradition.
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(END) SQH/ JMP / MDV
Publicado: 24/12/2024