Rubble nativity scene in solidarity with people of Gaza unveiled at UCC
Characters Searching For The Through Rubble The Are The The Scene, In Baby Nativity
A rubble nativity scene in solidarity with Gaza has been unveiled at UCC.
The crib scene, put together by UCC staff, depicts the Christmas star shining above a destroyed Gaza, while a baby lies wrapped in a keffiyeh amongst the rubble. It will be on display between December 12 and December 20.
A spokesperson for the college said: "Research conducted by Amnesty International has found sufficient basis to conclude that Israel has committed and continues to commit Genocide against the people of Gaza. All are welcome to come to the rubble nativity scene in UCC to think about the people of Gaza and to hope for the gift of freedom and peace for them and all Palestinians."
Constructed by UCC carpenters, the manger is located on the walkway between the President’s Garden and the Student Centre.
In the scene, the nativity characters, Mary and Joseph, the angel, the three wise men, the shepherd and the animals are searching through the rubble for the baby, as so many Palestinians have done over the past year.
"The donkey, made and donated by Cork Deaf Enterprises, played an important part in the nativity story 2,000 years ago as he carried Mary to Bethlehem. Over the past year, the precious donkey has carried Gazan families and all their belongings from one side of Gaza to another and back again as they have been displaced over and over and over again."
"The scene was inspired by that of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem and by the nativity scene in the Vatican," added the spokesperson.
Meanwhile, the annual live animal crib returned to Dublin's Mansion House on Wednesday morning, having been a feature of Christmas in the capital city since 1995.
Launching the crib, deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Donna Cooney said: "Christmas in town is always magic and the Mansion House is looking very festive.
"The Mansion House should always be welcoming to the people of Dublin, and we want to make sure that’s especially so at Christmas. Children and grown-ups of all ages are welcome to drop by and share some festive joy."
IFA president Francie Gorman described the launch as a "special occasion to mark what is an enduring partnership between the Lord Mayor’s office, Dublin City Council and the IFA".
"It’s a reminder of the work that farm families carry out every day of the year and I hope visitors to Dublin city centre take the time to drop in between now and Christmas Eve," he added.
The crib will be open to the public from Wednesday, December 11 until Monday, December 23 from 11am to 4pm daily and Christmas Eve from 11am to 1pm.