by InTrieste
The Nativity Scene (presepe) from Friuli Venezia-Giulia’s town of Sutrio was unveiled at the annual tree-lighting ceremony in St. Peter’s Square in Rome on Saturday, 3 December.
The event was attended by the Friuli Venezia – Giulia delegation, including FVG’s president, Massimiliano Fedriga, councilor for tourism, Sergio Bini, councilor for environment, Fabio Scoccimarro, and Sutrio representatives that have donated this year’s nativity scene.
“Being here in St Peter’s square in the center of Christianity with our nativity scene is incredible,” the mayor of Sutrio, Manlio Mattia, told us.
Ahead of the ceremony, Pope Francis on Saturday morning received the delegation from Friuli Venezia- Giuali, which included the president of the region, Massimiliano Fedriga with his family, Sergio Bini and the administration representatives from the town of Sutrio.
“The nativity scene from Friuli Venezia-Giulia is illuminating St Peter’s square. Our community is honored to celebrate with the rest of Italy,” said FVG’s president, Fedriga.
“What a great honor to be here today,” chimed in Sergio Bini. “Meeting the Pope was a very special emotion, and of course having FVG built presepe brings attention back to our magnificent region.”
The 2022 Nativity Scene was offered by the FVG village of Sutrio, in the province of Udine. The Sutrio Crib is entirely made of wood, with a semi-sphere that acts as a Grotto, where the Holy Family is displayed, around which life-sized characters are placed.
With 18 life-size statues arrayed on a surface measuring 116 square meters and lit by 50 points of light, the creche has been made by a team of artisans of Friuli Venezia Giulia including artistic director Stefano Comellia and a Ukrainian artist who has been in Italy since 1999, Oleksander Shteyninher.
The craftsmen have been working on the figures since 2020 when the Vatican agreed that Sutrio should make and provide the nativity scene.
The nativity scene and tree in St. Peter’s Square will remain on display until the conclusion of Christmas time, which coincides with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Sunday, 8 January, 2023
