In December, Kraków defied the grim weather by getting dressed up in dazzling colours! As a result of the collaboration between local businesses and the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków and the Krakow Festival Office, nativity scenes from the museum’s collection have been set up once again in shopfronts and interiors of business premises. Twenty-seven constructions of all sizes, awarded prizes and distinctions in the Kraków Nativity Scene Contests between 1980 and 2007, are presented at 19 locations throughout the Old Town and beyond. A further ten nativity scenes, built in 2016 and 2017, are displayed in illuminated cases along streets and squares in the city, at locations such as the ice skating rink at the Wolnica Square and the Christmas Fair at the Centralny Square in Nowa Huta. All nativity scenes remain on display to 31 January.

Cracovian nativity scenes feature nods to contemporary events, as well as recalling Poland’s history and legends. Local craftsmen and artisans have been expressing their interpretations of Polish stories through nativity scenes for over a century. In the year of the centenary of Poland regaining independence, the walk All Around Nativity Scenes comes under the banner Nativity Scene-Makers for Our City and Our Country. On Epiphany (6 January, 2pm), we start from 11 Powiśle Street at the foot of Wawel Hill and finish at Celestat, hosting this year’s Kraków Nativity Scene Contest Exhibition. The walk is guided by Michał Niezabitowski, director of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków. (Dorota Dziunikowska, “Karnet” monthly)