photo - Krakow History MuseumThe annual Christmas nativity scene (szopka) competition has began in the southern city of Krakow, with political satire displayed alongside more traditional cribs.
Traditional scenes with baby Jesus in the manger there are augmented by satirical nativity plays this year. In one, President Bronislaw Komorowski and his wife Anna are depicted as historical Polish nobility characters . Another nativity scene presents Jerzy Buzek (head of the European parliament), Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin as the Three Wise Men .
The nativity plays, displayed at in the main square, will be moved to the exhibition halls of the Palace of Krzysztofory, the main site of Krakow History Museum.
The jury will give its verdict which play is the winner basing on the criteria of evaluating the set decoration, colours, sculptures, tradition and innovation and the whole artistic impression of the work.
The verdict will be presented on Sunday and the authors of the best nativity plays will be awarded with diplomas . All the szopki will be on display at the history museum n Krakow until February.
The szopka tradition dates back to the 19th century, when Kraków's craftsmen begun to make them as seasonal decoration in order to earn extra income during the Christmas period. (ab)