This years’ Vatican presepe isn’t new – it’s been around since 1970.

A lot of people are complaining about it, but I can explain.

Ceramic Presepe of Castelli (TE).

The monumental nativity scene of the “Francescantonio Grue” Institute of Art for Ceramics, was built at school from 1965 to 1975 by students and professors-sculptors Gianfrrarnco Trrucchia and Roberto Bentini.

It is an archetypal modular form of the ancient potters.

The full presepe is 55 pieces and has been displayed in 1970 in Trajan’s Markets in Rome, and in 1976, it went to Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Teachers and students also wanted to immortalize important events in the contemporary world and so within the work we find eccentric statutes compared to the traditional figures of the crib, such as the astronaut, which refers to the conquest of the moon.

They believe these statues are an invitation to spirituality and hope, as like the opus ceramic itself, it follows a transcendental path, which draws its centrality in the Nativity of Christ which is the beginning of a new life through the power of the Spirit.

Blah, blah, blah, I know.
This guy certainly isn’t comforting, and there is no explanation for him.

 

At least we know this figure is an astronaut.
He’s holding the moon.
This helps us understand
that we need to suspend reality on this
presepe scene.

 

 

Here is the Blessed Virgin with Saint Joseph.  But what is that red bag in the center?

There is a statue of baby Jesus underneath.
He doesn’t get revealed until Christmas day.

So, it’s not really terrible, it is just an artistic style based on some traditional things from this little town in the middle of Italy.