Nine countries ready to dive into the spirit of Christmas with the proven event «Oro, Incenso, Mirra. Nativity scenes in Monferrato ».
After the past edition, in reduced form, from 8 December to 6 January, the organizers await the public for the kermesse with which the inhabitants of Aramengo, Camerano Casasco, Castagnole Monferrato, Cocconato, Grana, Castagnole delle Lanze, Monale, Montegrosso and Passerano Marmorito, decorate their villages.
During the presentation, Francesco Marengo, president of the Oro Incenso e Mirra association and mayor of Castagnole Monferrato, said: «We give continuity to an event that unites and warms hearts. This year we return with new ideas and energies, including the novelty of‘Ecomuseum which will propose shows, music and culture in the countries of the circuit ». In the meantime, each participating village boasts of being a “municipality of the nativity scene” with the idea of becoming a national review ».
The representations of the Nativity are created in the most varied artistic forms. Baby Jesus, the little shepherds, the ox and the donkey warm the hut in Bethlehem and the hearts. The nativity scenes are really many, small and large, ancient, modern, exotic, precious and handcrafted.
For the sixth edition, the red thread that binds the villages of Asti, it will be the recovery of the legend of the fourth Wise King, in addition to Melchior, Belshazzar and Gaspar.
On the ancient history, Patrizia Camatel of the Teatro degli Acerbi, says: “We rediscover an amusing legend, recovered years ago with various versions, also by the late Luciano Nattino and even by Pier Paolo Pasolini. It is said that the singular Wise King, called Artaban, coming from Northern Europe, was lost during the journey to Bethlehem, so much so that he arrived 33 years later. Our ancestors know this story. We would like to remember through their memories the facets that are all different village by village ». In Aramengo, Piazza del Municipio and Marmorito hamlet there will be the hut with the Holy Family carved in wood by the restorer Gian Luigi Nicola.
In Camerano Casasco, spotlights on the mechanical nativity scene of ancient crafts, conceived after 25 years of work by the sculptor Gennaro Cosentino, in the cellars of the castle.
In Castagnole Lanze, 200 nativity scenes will animate the Parco della Rimembranza and the center with the direction of the Torre del Conte Paolo Ballada association of Saint Robert. In Castagnole Monferrato, at Tenuta La Mercantile, the wine crib dedicated to the grape harvest will be set up. Cocconato will exhibit over 100 artist nativity scenes. Grana, on the other hand, is the nativity scene of the late Nino Di Nuzio, built by hand with resin and fabric. And again Monale with the work of Remo Marangon, Montegrosso with the mechanical nativity scene and the Castellamonte nativity scenes. Finally, Passerano, for 10 years the creator of nativity scenes in the ravines of the Schierano hamlet, dedicated to Pope Francis, expands with the historic center and Primeglio.
It organizes the Oro, Incenso, Mirra association, with the support of the Cassa di Risparmio di Asti Foundation, Ecomuseo Bma and the patronage of the Region, Province and Gal Basso Monferrato Astigiano.
Info www.presepinelmonferrato.it. —