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Poland holds annual Christmas crib competition

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vindheim
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Every year Poland's Krakow becomes a vibrant display of homemade nativity scenes as hundreds of people take part in a traditional Christmas crib competiton.

On Thursday (December 5) hundreds of people took part in the local tradition of Szopka where contestants create models of Krakow's historic buildings as the backdrop for the nativity of Jesus.

The models - many made out of tin foil and pizza boxes - vary from amateur nativity scenes built by children to intricate works of art built by model makers who have a long history with the hobby.

This year marks the 77th anniversary of the competition and local resident Bogna Kwiatkowska said she has been preparing her entry for months.

''It s such great fun that it is worth spending this time. I've been doing it since March because it consists of thousands of beads," said Kwiatkowska.

The first Krakow nativity scenes were made in the middle of the 19th century and were a way for carpenters and bricklayers to make some extra money in the quiet winter months.
The traditional entries consist of colourful churches, towers and other historical monuments in Krakow.
On each one a different scene from the nativity is represented.

Best models are shown off to the public at the Historical Museum of Krakow.
In 2018 UNESCO added the nativity scenes tradition to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
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Poland
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