Exhibit in Midway to feature nativity scenes from all around the globe

Friday, Dec. 02, 2016

MIDWAY — Crèches drawn from cultures throughout world will be displayed during the 16th Annual Interfaith Crèche Exhibit Dec. 2-5 in Midway’s Historic Town Hall.

Nativity scenes from more than three dozen different cultures will be represented, including those from Mexico, South America, Scandinavia, Denmark, Croatia, Bosnia, England and Japan. The star of the show is a display comprised of more than 1,000 pieces from the Italian collectibles company Fontanini. This crèche depicts not only the familiar nativity scene of the Holy Family at the stable, but part of the village of Bethlehem and outlying regions as well; it fills an entire room and takes two or more days to assemble, said Jody Klotovich, a board member of the Midway Boosters, which is sponsoring the event.

The display by Fontanini has not been in the Interfaith Crèche exhibit for several years, but is finally making a return, said Klotovich. 

The interfaith aspect of the crèche exhibit is important, Klotovich added. “We don’t want to be exclusive, …  we want to be inclusive,” she said, adding that the many styles, practices, and ways of life represented by the various crèches must also include the beliefs of the many unique cultures and people. 

Saint Lawrence Mission is the first Catholic church to officially participate in the Interfaith Crèche Exhibit; this year parishioners will provide several crèches for the exhibit, as well as a couple of volunteers to help host the event. These volunteers will maintain various crèches and answer any questions the attendees may have. 

Klotovich said that she hopes Christian people of all dominations and backgrounds can come together to enjoy this celebration of the Christmas season and the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Our crèches are our gift back to the community,” she said.

The event also will include a live nativity, children’s crafts and family photo sessions; live string quartets and pianos are scheduled Dec. 2-4. The Interfaith Crèche Exhibit drew in more than 3,500 people last year, but Klotovich predicts that even more will attend this year.