Paul Calvert spoke the International Nativity Museum in Bethlehem

The International Nativity Museum can be found in the heart of Bethlehem and is supported by the Palestinian National Authority and the Italian Government. The Museum has a collection of over 200 nativity representations of different styles and dimensions, with the variety of the cribs originating from all around the world, from all continents and ethnic groups.

Paul Calvert spoke with Father Yesudas from the International Nativity Museum.

Paul: What is a nativity museum?

Father Yesudas: It is a museum that is a collection of cribs from all over the world. It has got around 200 nativity representations of different styles and dimensions from all over the world. Most of them are from Italy, Spain and Portugal because the original museum was established in Turin. Later on they saw Bethlehem as a suitable place to have an International Nativity Museum; to give access to the people of Bethlehem, especially to share our culture through this museum, especially for the pilgrims and the visitors. It is located in the ground floor, here in the historical Salesian Convent of Bethlehem.

Paul: When was the collection started and how was it started?

Father Yesudas: It was started in 1999. It was started by late Prime Minister Yasser Arafat and Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema and the General Director of UNESCO. The museum evoked enthusiastic interest, but unfortunately it has been stifled by the events of the second Intifada (Arab uprising), which broke out in September 2000. This effected things for several years; it was closed almost, but with the help of Salesians' and with the support from the Italian Government and UNESCO and other donors and benefactors we were able to re-open the museum in 2010.

Paul: How many nativities do you have here?

Father Yesudas: We have 223 from all over the world. There are different kinds of nativity cribs and each one is unique by itself. It represents its country and the dress code, the cultural background and it also gives the particular message of that region of that country.

Paul: So you are going to see the culture of that country through the nativity scenes?

Father Yesudas: Exactly. For example if Jesus were to be born in Thailand, it gives you a clear idea of the dress code, the cultural background and the artistic look. Thus you will understand this nativity is not of this place, but from some other place which is Thailand, from India, from Spain, from Italy, or some of them are from France. If Jesus were to be born in Palestine, the dress, the different robe, the long ones and the robe on the head; then if Jesus were to be born in the coastal area Jesus would be born on the boat because it is a coastal area and the angels are holding the net, so it is very interesting and it is also very modern and classical.

Paul: How many visitors do you get here annually?

Father Yesudas: We get around 10,000 throughout the year, but it depends on the political situation; unfortunately the last three months we had a very bad climate here. The political situation made people a little worried and afraid to visit, but we encourage the local groups here, those who are living here, the students of the school from all over Palestine that they come and the entrance fee is free for the students and the locals of Bethlehem, Beit Sahour and all this area. Most of the pilgrims who come here are astonished because they see such a big and beautiful museum existing very close to the Nativity Church. The museum is approximately just 100-200 metres walkable distance.

Paul: From where Jesus was actually born?

Father Yesudas: Exactly. It is very proper to have this museum in Bethlehem, to represent and to recognise the place; to have an idea about how Jesus would have been born here in that time, in Bethlehem.