An interview with Antonio Boemo, coordinator of the project for the construction of the nativity scene from Grado, which will be on display in Saint Peter’s Square

Jesus is born in a lagoon surrounded by fog

The setting for the representation of the Nativity of Jesus in Saint Peter’s Square for Christmas 2024 is a lagoon filled with almost stagnant water, with swamp birds including mallards, seagulls, herons and sea swifts, and local flora, small islands and the unfaltering fog. The nativity scene is a replica of the evocative landscape of the Island of the Sun, where Grado is located. The town in Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, is known as the daughter of Aquileia, but the mother of Venice.

The people of Grado were involved in the planning and implementation of the nativity scene, whose uniqueness comes from its water and from the creative genius of the people who designed it. Antonio Boemo, coordinator and promoter of the project, speaks to us about the project in this interview with www.vaticanstate.va.

What are the distinguishing aspects of Grado’s nativity scene?

The aspect that distinguishes it the most is, as is evident, life in a lagoon. It is actually the nativity scene of the community of Grado because it was made by the people who live there and know the place well.

The nativity scene is set inside a large lagoon, surrounded by more than one hundred small islands, with the Crib set inside a casòne, a traditional fisherman’s hut made of reeds.

The scene is set in the early years of last century, when a few hundred people from Grado were still living in the lagoon. Nowadays, a little more than a dozen people live there, including the monks of the Island-Sanctuary of Barbana.

The setting is filled with many details, such as local vegetation and avifauna. The uniqueness of the installation is that the small island with the casòne of the Nativity is surrounded by water, contained by a 100-metre long embankment. The water comes from the water recirculation system of Vatican City State.

The work is based on a project designed by Andrea de Walderstein, who also directed it and was a great worker himself. It is fairly large, measuring 14 x 30 metres and uses some 35 cubic metres of water.

What materials were used in its construction?

The “hut” was built with wood and swamp reeds, the materials used by fishermen to build their homes, known as casòni. The embankment that surrounds the small island of the lagoon, was made with hand-molded polystyrene to resemble real ones. A PVC canvas fabric acts as a basin, containing water (20 centimetres) on which two wooden batele carrying the Magi and a family of fishers, float.

A detail that may seem surprising is that the batela carrying the Magi is rowed by a woman, to highlight that, with the exception of children, everyone in the lagoon, is involved in sharing the necessary duties.

There are also natural plants, some of them quite large, in addition to grass and flowers. The avifauna of the lagoon was made by 3D printed plastic, and painted by hand.

The replica of the lagoon includes a small beach, in which a grandmother looks after some children and a dog.

It is important to mention that all the parts were designed and created in pieces that could be assembled and disassembled easily, be placed in containers and be transported from Grado to Saint Peter’s Square and vice-versa. To give you an idea, the embankment is made of 102 polystyrene pieces, molded by hand, to resemble the rocks of the embankment, the large casòne is made of 18 pieces, the service room by 12 pieces and so forth.

Because there are many details and aspects to this work, we also printed a booklet, which will be distributed to all those present at the evening of the unveiling of the nativity scene in Saint Peter’s Square. Moreover, QR codes will be placed in front of the nativity scene, so that visitors will also be able to access all the details.

What about the statues?

Another distinguishing features is the presence of many almost life-sized statues, which were made by two local artists, Lorenzo Boemo and his daughter Francesca. With their truly unique and particular details, they were made using various different materials including, fabrics, plastic, metal, wood and clay, that “nùo” mud that distinguishes the lagoon.

 How long did it take to build the Nativity Scene?

The endeavour was a success thanks to a great team of some 40 people, most of them members of local associations who agreed to participate in this great adventure.

They are all professionals, such as the artisans who built the casòni, the builders of the jetties, the shipwrights who made the bateles, traditional flat-bottomed boats, the fishers who made the fishing nets and, obviously, the artists who made the statues.

It is difficult to calculate how much time was spent, but in any case, a few years, because during the summer, which lasts at least six months here, people are busy with the tourist season. However, even during those months, someone always did something in their spare time.

At first, when we were still in the planning stage, we would meet in the headquarters of the Portatori della Madonna di Barbana, (Bearers of Our Lady of Barbana), whose President, Adelchi Quargnali, took on the responsibility of leading the project due to bureaucratic and financial reasons. These were followed by many meetings in people’s homes. The most important work then moved to the Fain Hall of the Ricreatorio Spes of Grado Parish, under the guidance of Msgr. Paolo Nutelli. In the final stages, considering the size, we had to move our work outside to the skating rink. Thus, all the different parts of the project were tested for their endurance to harsh weather conditions.

 Grado has a great tradition of making nativity scenes. What are the aspects that make this nativity scene different from traditional ones?

You could say that the homes of Grado have always had a nativity scene. The Bearers of Our Lady of Barbana came up with the idea of using the lagoon as the setting for a nativity scene. This is surely what inspired the beginning of the “Presepi in Grado” festival. In a short time, it became one of the most important, if not the most significant, festivals of its kind in Friuli Venezia Giulia, with more than 300 nativity scenes on display.

There are two key characteristics: the lagoon setting or in any case a setting linked to the sea, and the display of large  nativity scenes along the Venetian-influenced streets of the historical centre. The festival grew, and today, we have nativity scenes in all the neighbourhoods of the Island, including the hamlets of Fossalon and Boscat.

 What led you to suggest displaying the nativity scene in Saint Peter’s Square?

Like with most things, everything began with a dream, my dream. I have organized the festivals of Grado’s nativity scenes for some 20 years, on a volunteer basis. I was fortunate to be able to include our city among the cities that wished to install their nativity scene in Saint Peter’s Square.

It was and still is a demanding task (how many nights were spent thinking?). But I was always convinced that our idea for the setting would draw some special attention. There were many difficulties, but I was fortunate enough to be almost immediately joined by my friend, the great professional, Andrea de Walderstein. Apart from the bureaucracy involved, it was also pretty easy to receive support from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and from the Municipality, as well as the collaboration of many people.

At first, it seemed that the hardest task would be assembling a team. But I was mistaken. Considering the goal, everyone was eager to be entirely committed.

To what degree is the tradition of setting up a nativity scene an expression of faith?

Grado has always been linked to the faith.

Suffice it to remember two details. Firstly, the fishermen, who always divided their daily earnings into equal parts: for the expenses of the boat, for the owner and skipper, for each member of the crew, and a part to support the Church.

The second aspect, in addition to the fact that all religious functions and rites are always attended in large numbers (even by tourists), is the boat procession, “Perdòn de Barbana”, a votive procession in which the faithful give thanks to Our Lady of Barbana, for saving the people of Grado from a terrible plague in 1237.

Since then, the procession has always taken place, even in times of war, although on those sad occasions, sometimes, only a lone citizen participated.

(Nicola Gori)