Czech Nativity scenes
Nativity scenes celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus have a long tradition in the Czech lands, dating back to 1560, when the first such scene was introduced here by the Jesuits at their college, the Clementinum, across from the Charles Bridge in Prague. Records of the Nativity scene were lost so we will never be sure what it really looked like, but it is fairly safe to assume the scene included traditional elements including a grotto, the original manger, farm animals, and baby Jesus himself. The scene, called "Betlem" in Czech, after Bethlehem, inspired countless copies at churches and monasteries throughout the Czech lands.
"There are areas in the Czech Republic were Nativity scene manufacture has been a tradition for centuries, places like Trebic, Trest, Pribram, Usti nad Orlici, Kraliky. These villages had their own craftsman, for example wood-carvers. In Trest they made clock cases, and from that it was only a small step to carving figures for Nativity scenes. The tradition exists in these areas to this day. If you, for example, visit Trebic and ask who you should visit they'll send you to homes where they have amazing collections, 6 metres long and two metres high, with dozens of life-size figures. You'll be greeted at the door and offered a shot of something to warm up. That's how it is. During Advent dozens of tourists pass through to have a look and believe me it's worth it: the Nativity scenes are beautiful."
Historically, too, materials vary from region to region: nativity scenes can be flat, painted and cut on paper, or they can be made from flour dough, or carved from wood. And that's not all:
"In Trest they used tree roots fished out of the streams, twisted roots to create a romantic and dramatic Alp-like background, which they topped with moss to create the peaks. Then they set the figures all around. You find yourself in the middle of Bethlehem."
Were there any other elements that could be described, strictly speaking, as "Czech" given that Nativity scenes in Europe were historically so widespread?
What's more, says Frantisek Valena, Czechs often included their own additions to the story of Christ's birth:
Until the 19th century Nativity scenes were one of the main symbols of Christmas, although from the 19th century onwards they had to vie increasingly with the Christmas tree. Despite its eventually being pushed into the background, Frantisek Valena says Nativity scene building experienced a 'golden age' between World Wars I & II. Since he is a collector himself, he is often on the lookout for nativity scenes from this period or even earlier. He has come across some unique samples in his time:
How does Frantisek Valena, a stage designer and artist by profession - feel about restoring historic pieces?
Prague's Municipal Museum traditionally displays Czech nativity scenes throughout the Advent and this year is no exception: Mr Valena has lent many samples from his own collection, mostly pieces from the late 19th and early 20th century. Walking through the exhibit one gets a glimpse of forgotten Christmases from so long ago, a small part of now forgotten lives, aspirations, and dreams. Baby Jesus - Jezisek - in the manger, the animals, carved or painted in folksy innocence, remain. In a small way, too, part of Czech history.