ORGANIZER GRAND OPENING EXHIBITION VISITING EXHIBITION GALLERY COMPETITION
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John Paul II
23rd of March 2000 r.
With terror, warfare and social injustice sweeping across the world, the significance of this peace-oriented initiative cannot be overestimated. Binding people of different denominations and beliefs, it testifies to the development of a religious culture and a return to the roots of Christianity.
Thanks to the personal recommendations of dr Graziano Monastero, UNESCO commissioned the organization of this prestigious exhibition designed by dr Alfredo Troisi to M. G. Poland Company. The event was held in the Lublin Castle.
Presented from 1st of December 2001 to 3rd of March 2002, the exhibition "CHRISTMAS NATIVITY SCENES IN THE WORLD" is a movable part of a permanent exhibition from the International Museum of Nativity in Bethlehem. Lublin is the first town to present the exhibition outside Bethlehem. It has successfully competed with such cities as Brussels, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Milan, Prague and Buenos Aires which were also interested in organizing the event. During the grand opening dr Alfredo Troisi, the author of the exhibition, underlined that the choice of Lublin was a sign of respect paid to "this beautiful modern town where traditions are at a premium" and a tribute to the Pope who used to lecture at at the Catholic University of Lublin.
The exhibition features over 200 exhibits from such diverse countries as Madagascar, France, Germany, China, Italy, Great Britain, Taiwan, Palestine, Austria, Peru, Sweden, Denmark, the Philippines and many others. The material used in building the scenes as well as the style are indicative of the country of origin Mother Mary, the Holy Infant, St. Joseph and other characters are of different races, dressed in the vernacular, sometimes exotic clothes depending on the local tradition. The authors of the exhibits used a wide range of building materials from plywood, cork, china, and minerals to a specially processed banana skin. Besides the work of folk artists there are scenes made by professional artists. What characterises them all is the unfailing spirit of optimism.
This text has been based on an article by A.M. Kowalska "Christmas Nativity Scenes in the World" published in GOŚĆ NIEDZIELNYof January 6, 2002.
The grand opening of the exhibition "CRIBS OF THE WORLD" held in Lublin Museum at the Castle on 1st of December 2001 at 3 p.m. featured a choir concert by "Lubelskie Słowiki".
Among the guests were representatives of the clergy, culture, municipal, self government and voivodship authorities and foreign guests from Milan, Verona, Vicenza, and Manchester.
The opening speeches in the presence of the media were delivered by:
During the inaugural ceremony Mr Andrzej Pruszkowski, President of Lublin awarded
Dr Graziano Monastero
President of M G Poland
with the
Medal of the Lublin Union
"in gratitude for his efforts in building a common Europe
Europe and
in creating the image of Lublin in the World"
Afterwards, organizers thanked the following sponsors for their contribution:
Mr Stanisław Stachowicz, President of Lubelski Węgiel "BOGDANKA" S.A.
Mr Ryszard Król, Director of Telekomunikacja Polska S.A. in Lublin
and media patrons:
Telewizja Polska S.A. in Lublin
Gazeta Wyborcza
Radio Plus
All sponsors received symbolic nativity scenes.
After ceremonial cross-cut of ribbon by the clergy, self government and voivodship authorities
the exhibition "CRIBS OF THE WORLD" was opened to the public.
The unique character of the exhibition was an excellent opportunity to meet together and contemplate the issue of peace and love in the presence of the nativity scenes from all over the world - the Bethlehem symbols of events taking place over 2000 years ago.
The international exhibition "CRIBS OF THE WORLD" organized by M. G. Poland Company under the UNESCO auspices together with the competition of fine arts sent by children and teenagers - was a great success. Lublin for the first time hosted such a big and spectacular event. The original closing date of the exhibition (February 15, 2002) was postponed for two weeks, till March 3, 2002 due to a lot of enquiries, mainly from school and parish groups willing to see the exhibition.
The exhibition was prolonged due to an unexpected number of visitors - over 40 000 visitors and the fine arts competition for which about 1500 works were sent inspired by the subject of the Bethlehem nativity scene.
The exhibition "CRIBS OF THE WORLD" and pictures sent for the fine arts competition "The most beautiful Bethlehem nativity scene" have been collected in a special catalogue. This unique catalogue will be presented to the Pope John Paul II and international organizations: UNICEF, UNESCO and other world organizations dealing with children and the youth.
TOP GRAND OPENING EXHIBITION VISITING EXHIBITION GALLERY COMPETITION ORGANIZER
We are keen on informing of change of our Company seat
Below our new address and contacts:
M. G. Poland Sp. z o.o.
ul. F. Chopina 14, 20-023 Lublin, Poland
tel.: ++48 (081) 532 95 09 fax: ++48 (081) 532 16 20
e-mail: info@mgpoland.pl
