Dec. 9 – The Shrine of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki, in Krakow, is displaying a full sized nativity scene. It’s hard not to appreciate the details: the master craftsmen of Tesero, in Val di Fiemme, created the masterpiece, as they have been doing since 1700. The crib is an expression of tradition, craftsmanship, and culture. Christmas is always a time for solidarity and sharing, and Trento has shared its festivities since 2006 with the international community. The life-size nativity scene and the oldest and most beautiful Nativities of the Trentino tradition have stopped in Rome, Krakow, l’Aquila, Assisi, Istanbul, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. This year. The famous nativity scene will be at the Shrine of Divine Mercy until the end of January, strengthening the bond between Trentino, Krakow and its Archbishop, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz. The bizarre friendship is indeed very strong, as Krakow is the city of Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Dziwisz, who, a few months ago , became an honorary citizen of Tesero. Trentino is also one of the few Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Poland. It all began in 1984 when Pope John Paul II climbed the peaks of the Adamello and encouraged the world to renew its call for peace and brotherhood. From the top of that mountain – which now bears the Pope’s name –the partnership between Trentino and the Holy See officially began, as secular and ecclesiastical institutions of Italian and foreign communities became involved. In the coming days, Krakow will hold a dedication ceremony for the crib: Trentino authorities will be present and, more importantly, there will be many Polish citizens who assiduously visit Trentino in both winter and summer.
