During the Christmas celebrations in Krakow, the Nativity Scene (szopka) is a social practice originating from the custom of building cribs. In the nineteenth century, the tradition was linked to the City of Krakow and is based on skills that are passed down from generation to generation.
This lightweight structure with a nativity scene and a representation of the city's history, culture, and contemporary social events are displayed with figurines and artificial lighting, including scenes related to Krakow's city life as well as the country's and the world's overall culture.
During the Middle Ages, a particular type of nativity-based play called Jaska, developed in Poland. Nativity scenes originated with Saint Francis of Assisi in the 13th century. Street theater was a common practice with performers wearing szopkas and puppets. In some cases, movable puppets were replaced with immobile wooden figurines.
Other times, puppets or figurines were subject-specific, portraying elements of Polish culture. These include historical figures such as the winged hussars and Tadeusz Kosciuszko, legendary sorcerer Pan Twardowski and Wawel's Dragon, and contemporary politicians and artists.
The spread of nonreligious content in Nativity scenes in Poland in the 18th century led to a ban on more extravagant scenes in some churches; following the ban, the performances evolved into true folk art expressions. Since the 19th century, when Kraków craftsmen – masons and woodworkers – began making these szopkas to earn money during the winter, they've grown in popularity, with people paying to see them, often carried door-to-door by carollers.
Poland was given independence in 1918, the szopka was widely used as a souvenir of Kraków. In December 1937, the city's municipal authorities announced the first competition about this tradition. Since then, except for the Second World War, the szopka presentation and tournament have been held every year on the first Thursday of December, besides the Adam Mickiewicz Monument. A selection of the best szopkas is then displayed in the Krzysztofory Palace Historical Museum of Kraków.
Every year, on the first Thursday of December, makers gather on Krakow Main Square to present their work, and from December to February, the Historical Museum makes their work available to the public, allowing knowledge about the practice to be transmitted. The most active bearers comprise a group of forty practitioners, who construct new cribs every year, conduct workshops, and deliver lectures to propagate the practice.
Everyone can take part in the tradition, including spectators and visitors from the urban community. As a practice, it also has a significant educational function, teaching about the history, architecture, and customs of the city.
Szopka is a practice celebrated in Krakow that emerged from customs associated with the celebration of the Christmas festival, which centered on constructing cribs.
This lightweight structure with a nativity scene and a representation of the city's history, culture, and contemporary social events are displayed with figurines and artificial lighting, including scenes related to Krakow's city life as well as the country's and the world's overall culture.
During the Middle Ages, a particular type of nativity-based play called Jaska, developed in Poland. Nativity scenes originated with Saint Francis of Assisi in the 13th century. Street theater was a common practice with performers wearing szopkas and puppets. In some cases, movable puppets were replaced with immobile wooden figurines. Other times, puppets or figurines were subject-specific, portraying elements of Polish culture. These include historical figures such as the winged hussars and Tadeusz Kosciuszko, legendary sorcerer Pan Twardowski and Wawel's Dragon, and contemporary politicians and artists. The spread of nonreligious content in Nativity scenes in Poland in the 18th century led to a ban on more extravagant scenes in some churches; following the ban, the performances evolved into true folk art expressions. Since the 19th century, when Kraków craftsmen – masons and woodworkers – began making these szopkas to earn money during the winter, they've grown in popularity, with people paying to see them and for own them. They are often carried door-to-door by carollers. The famous early patron of the custom was the Potoccy family, a magnate family. When Poland was given independence in 1918, the szopka was widely used as a souvenir of Kraków. In December 1937, the city's municipal authorities announced the first competition about this tradition. Since then, except for the Second World War, the szopka presentation and tournament have been held every year on the first Thursday of December, besides the Adam Mickiewicz Monument. A selection of the best szopkas is then displayed in the Krzysztofory Palace Historical Museum of Kraków.
Every year, on the first Thursday of December, makers gather on Krakow Main Square to present their work, and from December to February, the Historical Museum makes their work available to the public, allowing knowledge about the practice to be transmitted. The most active bearers comprise a group of forty practitioners, who construct new cribs every year, conduct workshops, and deliver lectures to propagate the practice. Everyone can take part in the tradition, including spectators and visitors from the urban community. As a practice, it also has a significant educational function, teaching about the history, architecture, and customs of the city.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/nativity-scene-szopka-tradition-in-krakow-01362) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak%C3%B3w_szopka) |Subject=Art, Craftsmanship and Practices, Verbal Arts and Literature |Country=Poland |SDG=(04) Quality Education, (08) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (09) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities }}