Genoa, the traditional crib of the Liguria Region inaugurated in Piazza De Ferrari
It was set up in the atrium of the Palazzo della Regione with the recently restored statues of the historic nativity scene of the church of San Bartolomeo di Staglieno
Has been inaugurated the traditional crib of the Liguria Region, set up as last year next to the main entrance of the headquarters in Piazza De Ferrari, on the ground floor, protected by a glass, so as to be visible from the outside by all. The crib was blessed by the archbishop of Genoa Marco Tasca, accompanied by the President of the Region Giovanni Toti, by the Mayor of Genoa Marco Bucci, by the Councilor for Culture Ilaria Cavo. For these Christmas holidays, the Nativity scene of the Church of San Bartolomeo Apostolo di Staglieno was chosen, the subject of a careful restoration work conducted by the Restoration Laboratory of the Liguria Region.
The Nativity scene of the Church of San Bartolomeo Confraternity inside the oratory, located next to the church along the path of the historic aqueduct, near the spectacular siphon bridge over the Veilino. All wooden figures of the many compositions from the workshop of Pasqua Navone (Genoa 1746-1791), the most famous exponent of late Baroque wooden sculpture in Liguria
The Nativity scene of the Church of San Bartolomeo is made up of two nuclei: the oldest and most precious, attributed precisely to Navone; the second, which includes the characters of the Nativity, is attributed to an anonymous sculptor active in the early nineteenth century.
The scenography that accompanies the figures on display was created with the collaboration of students of the Ligustica Academy of Fine Arts directed by Giulio Sommariva, Curator of the Academy Museum. Of note, among others, is the figure of the beggar wearing jeans trousers. The crib of the Liguria Region, as mentioned, represents the scene of the Nativity, while the one set up by the Municipality of Genoa reproduces the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the flight into Egypt, creating a continuity between the two settings.
“Today we inaugurate a nativity scene that recalls our history but which is also part of our present – comments the president of the Liguria Region Giovanni Toti – in this Christmas where fortunately we begin again, albeit with some prudence, to relive social, Christian and secular rites, typical of this founding feast for our civilization, which we all missed last year. We wanted to continue with the tradition of setting up this nativity scene in the loggia of the Palazzo della Regione, the palace of civil and democratic powers: I believe it is a sign of the intertwining of all that our culture has produced “.
“Genoa and Liguria also have an ancient tradition linked to the nativity scene, it is nice that this is in danger of renewing itself every year – adds the mayor of Genoa Marco Bucci – A great example of art and culture typical of our land: it is nice to meet every year to inaugurate a new representation in the spaces of the Liguria Region, just as it will be equally exciting to shoot during the Christmas holidays for the many churches in our city that set up unique nativity scenes “.
“I am very happy – adds the archbishop of Genoa Marco Tasca – to be here to bless this work of art. The artists who bring together faith and art have always fascinated me: it is a combination that has given the world beautiful works. I was lucky enough to enter the restoration laboratory, and see these people who worked with great passion: I want to thank them, as I want to thank all the parishes and brotherhoods that guard these “.
“Behind the magic of this nativity scene was a great part of the laboratory of the Region, but also of a carver for the work of some parts of the figurines and of a restorer for the recovery of the eighteenth-century clothes – concludes the Councilor for Culture Ilaria Cavo – The value of the intervention of the Liguria Region is twofold: making this 18th century nativity available to the whole city during the Christmas holidays and then returning it, enhanced and restored, to the Confraternity of San Bartolomeo who had the will to lend it to us “.
Read also …