Vatican, from Peru nativity scene in St. Peter’s square. Trentino donates spruce of 28 meters

The nativity scene that will be set up in St. Peter’s Square for Christmas comes from the Andes, from the village of Chopcca, a community in the department of Huancavelica in Peru. The nativity will consist of more than 30 pieces and made by five famous artists from Huancavelica. The majestic spruce of about 28 meters that will find its place next to the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square comes from Andalo, in Trentino, in the Dolomiti Paganella area. The tree comes from the certified Sustainable Forest Management of the Pefc Trentino Territorial Group. The Trentino Delegation will also take care of the related decorations with spherical wooden decorations. The Governorate, as usual, will take care of the lighting with a low energy consumption LED system. For the Paul VI Hall, the representation of the nativity was entrusted to the young group of the parish of San Bartolomeo Apostolo di Gallio, province of Vicenza and diocese of Padua. “The Peruvian Nativity – explains the Governorate – is intended to commemorate the two hundred years of independence of the country, reproduce a cross-section of the life of the peoples of the Andes and symbolize the universal call to salvation, as the Son of God became incarnate to save every man and woman on earth, to whatever language, people, culture and nation they belong ” . The inauguration of the Nativity scene and the lighting of the Christmas tree will be held, while respecting the regulations to counter the spread of the pandemic, in St. Peter’s Square, Friday 10 December, at 5 pm. The ceremony will be presided over by Msgr. Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State. On the same day, in the morning, the delegations from Huancavelica, Andalo and Gallio will be received in audience by Francis for the official presentation of the gifts.The statues of the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the Magi and the shepherds they will be made life-size with materials such as ceramic, maguey wood (agave) and fiberglass, and will be dressed in the typical Chopcca costumes. Jesus will have the appearance of a “Hilipuska” child, so called because he is wrapped in a typical Huancavelica blanket and is tied with a “chumpi” or braided belt. The Three Kings will have saddlebags or sacks containing Huancavelica characteristic foods, such as potatoes, quinoa, kiwicha, cañihua, and will be accompanied by lamas who will carry a Peruvian flag on their back. The birth of the Savior will be announced by a child angel, who will play the typical wind instrument called Wajrapuco. In the Nativity scene there will also be statues of various animals belonging to the local fauna such as: alpacas, vicuñas, sheep, vizcachas, parihuanas and the Andean condor, the national symbol of Peru.