CRIB EXHIBITION

The Christmas Crib is generally understood as a representation of the nativity of Jesus Christ (in the natural size or otherwise) represented with small statues or similar figures of the main protagonists, i.e. Jesus, Mary, Joseph and their visitors: shepherds, angels, the Magi, animals mentioned in written records, an ox, ass, sheep etc., usually placed in the Palestinian, or local, countryside. The essential feature of the Christmas Crib is that it is made as an object of devotion during the Christmas season and that it helps the religious person experience the meaning of Christmas.

The first and original home of the Slovenian home crib was the Alpine region of Gorenjska (Upper Carniola) where the Christmas Crib had found its place by the year 1800. It was first found in towns, whilst only much later did it spread to the countryside, where it was found only very irregularly. The crib figures were mostly made by self-taught enthusiasts, talented figure makers and artists who felt close to the crib tradition.

The Christmas Crib is a symbol of the historical truth of Christ's incarnation in time and space, for man and Creation; it is also a symbol of the ever present grace of Christ who wants to be born in man to consecrate him. It is not just a reminder of some past events but an image of the reality that becomes our everyday reality through which Christ comes to us and reveals Himself and His love to us.

The Christmas Crib speaks to us, it invites us into a personal relationship with God's love and the Divine Mercy, thereby opening us out to our fellow men. And therein lies its deepest theological and social significance. The way of Christ coming into the world and the Christmas Crib as its representation teach us what the true purpose and goal of human life is, i.e. to be and not to possess.

COSTUMES OF OUR ANCESTORS PRESENTED IN CLAY

Mrs Ladina Korbar, the author of the costumes exhibition, was born in Divača on 24 April 1946. She lives and works in Domžale where she, together with her family and friends, continues to research into and preserve the costumes of our ancestors.

She was first introduced to clay at a pottery course at a Third Life University. Her figures show that she has fully mastered the issues posed by clay as a specific material. They are materialized pictures and photographic records of history. In her work, she strictly observes the tradition of our heritage, based in particular on the technical literature of the Ethnographic Museum of Slovenia and the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana.

Her figures have been awarded the mark of a craftwork which is a testimony to their artistic and thematic originality and uniqueness. In the words of Prof. Dr. Janez Bogataj, her works are a significant element of the local, regional and general Slovene identity.

and "National costumes of EU nations presented in clay" by Laina Korbar