Gabriela Maciak is a third-year middle-school student. She has been making nativity scenes for several years. Her mother, father and sister help her. “I really like doing it,” Gabriela says. “This work brings the family together because we spend time together. Glass is a somewhat dangerous material, and you can cut yourself. My father smashed it into pieces, and I arranged the composition.”
A record number of nativity scenes—317, along with 106 Christmas centerpieces—were submitted to this year’s competition. They were made by children and young people from throughout the region. They created their works from a wide variety of materials: glass, paper, wood and even pasta. All of them were beautiful.
The Legnica Nativity Scene Exhibition has a 25-year tradition. It was initiated in 1989 by Kazimierz Pleśniak, the then director and founder of Dom Harcerza.Kazimierz Pleśniak. It was subsequently continued by the Youth Cultural Centre, and since 2010 its organization has been handled by the Legnica City Branch of the Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Dzieci.
The official conclusion of the competition and presentation of awards to the winners took place at the School Youth Hostel on Jordana Street. The nativity scenes can be viewed from 23 December at the Copper Museum and at St. Hyacinth’s Church.
UM Legnica/ii