09:53 | Vatican City, Dec. 10.
More than 100 million tourists from all over the world will be able to observe a Nativity Scene from Chopcca —a community in the Peruvian Andean region of Huancavelica— in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican starting today, December 10, and for the next 45 days.
The lighting of Chopcca's Nativity Scene and the Italian Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square will be a sign of hope for humanity, which is governed by the values of the Gospel. In addition, it constitutes a historical milestone that will put Peru on the world stage.
Full-scale replica
This a full-scale replica of Chopcca's Nativity Scene and is made up of 35 pieces that were carefully crafted by five artisans skilled in Huancavelica's imagery, who reside in Lima, as well as in Huancavelica and Huancayo (Junin region): Manuel Breña, Elvis Galvez, Gady Galvez, Carlos Madge, and Rafael Quispe.
All the characters, including the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, the Three Wise Men, the Baby Jesus, and the shepherds were made of ceramic, agave, and fiberglass.
They are wearing typical clothes of Huancavelica's Chopcca community.
Landscapes
The scenography of the Nativity Scene evokes landscapes from Huancavelica region and places the Holy Family in a rustic barn in the countryside.
The back of the manger features representations of Huancavelica's people, their living culture, traditional economic activities such as the use of ancestral tools, as well as the production of organic products.
In addition, it includes typical animals of the region such as llamas, condors, alpacas, vicunas, among others.
(END) PBQ/MAO/RMB/MVB
Published: 12/10/2021