Cathedral Crib Festival Now Open for Entries in the 800th Year of the Nativity Scene

Llandaff Cathedral is preparing to host its second annual crib festival in the 800-anniversary year of the nativity scene as coined by St Francis in the 13th century.

“According to Bonaventure, Francis in 1223 sought permission from Pope Honorious III to do something ‘for the kindling of devotion’ to the birth of Christ. As part of his preparations, Francis ‘made ready a manger, and bade hay, together with an ox and an ass,’ in the small Italian town of Greccio,” explains Vanessa Corcoran, Professor of History at Georgetown University.

Last year, dozens of cribs from countries around the world were exhibited in the Cathedral’s Prebendal House for free public viewing.

Cathedral Canon Chancellor, Jan van der Lely, said “From matchbox size to life-size, simple to sophisticated, and made from every material you can imagine, the crib scenes will awaken your imagination about the holy family and the birth of Jesus Christ.”

Entries are now open for individuals and groups to donate their cribs to be on display from 22nd to 29th November.

The Cathedral would like contributions of cribs big and small, from different parts of the world and made of many materials (wool, lego, wood, etc…) to be lent for the length of the festival.

The crib sets will be used to make a display in Prebendal House (part of the Cathedral) for visitors to enjoy.

A crib set would consist of figures from the nativity story with or without a stable backdrop. The aim is to encourage people to think about the message of Christmas and the see many different ways of depicting the scene. Any materials are, from any country, small or large, owned by individuals or churches, the more diversity the better.

If you plan on loaning a crib or props, please contact Llandaff Cathedral Canon Chancellor Jan van der Lely NOW.

Phone 02921 156258

Mobile: 07472 610101

Email: chancellor@llandaffcathedral.org.uk