16 tons of sand and stone dust, 2000 kilos of cork, a wooden structure measuring 190 square meters, partly covered by 100 square meters of moss and 3500 figures. These are just some of the numbers of the giant nativity scene in Vila Real de Santo António, which returns to the António Aleixo Cultural Center on December 6th, with renovated sets and pieces and another record in the number of figures on display.
The crib, which celebrates its 10th anniversary, was built over a month by Augusto Rosa and Teresa Marques, two municipal employees who had the help of three other employees: Joaquim Soares, Telmo Crispim and João Gomes. In all, more than 1500 hours were invested in the construction of that structure.
One of the reasons for the success of this nativity scene is the characteristics of the more than 3500 figures that give it life, many of them mechanized, a factor that contributes to its differentiation.
According to its mentors, in addition to the collection belonging to the Vila-Realian autarchy, there are many other pieces acquired by them over the years, which means that the nativity scene has always grown in the last decade.
One of the mandatory venues for this acquisition has been the traditional Feria del Belén, in Seville, held at the beginning of November, where the organizers are always present.
For the deputy mayor of the Chamber José Carlos Barros, the thousands of annual visitors to the nativity scene «turn it into the most sought after attraction in the city and one of the most charismatic events of the Christmas season in the Algarve».
“This is a key event that has also gained notoriety across the border, as the Spaniards, along with the Portuguese, lead the visits,” notes José Carlos Barros.
As in the past year, entries to the crib have a symbolic value of 50 cents, an amount intended to support costs related to assembly and maintenance.
The remaining amount will revert to Guadi – Animal Center, an association whose purpose is to defend abandoned animals in the municipality of VRSA, carrying out a series of initiatives to ensure the maintenance of the intermunicipal kennel/cattery without slaughter.
Vila Real de Santo António's giant crib is open to the public at the António Aleixo Cultural Center until 6 January 2013. It can be visited daily between 10 am and 13 pm and 00 pm and 14 pm. On January 30st it will be open from 19:00 pm to 1:14 pm.
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