Nativity scenes in Krzysztofory Palace

The phenomenon of the Kraków nativity scene originated in Kraków, the historic capital of Poland. This style of nativity scene developed in the 19th century. Popularized in the 20th century and still cherished today, it has become a model for contemporary works. The development of this craft had economic roots — bricklayers from Kraków’s suburbs sought additional income during the idle winter season.

The first competition for the most beautiful Kraków nativity scene was organized on December 21, 1937, initiated by Dr. Jerzy Dobrzycki. The outbreak of World War II halted the competitions for six years. They resumed in 1945, and since 1946, the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków has been the organizer of the Kraków nativity scene contest. Since then, the director of the Kraków Museum has chaired the competition jury.

The contest strengthens the tradition of Kraków nativity craftsmanship, motivates the development of the craft, and encourages creative competition. Thanks to this event, a new type of Kraków nativity scene has emerged — one prepared specifically for the contest (while retaining its traditional form). It takes place on the first Thursday of December, when nativity scene creators bring their works to Kraków’s Main Market Square and display them on the steps of the Adam Mickiewicz monument. On this day, the jury evaluates the nativity scenes, and awards are presented on the Sunday following the contest. This is also when the post-contest exhibition of the Kraków nativity scenes opens, which can be viewed for almost three months at the Kraków Museum in the Krzysztofory Palace. Each year, after the exhibition, the Museum purchases the most beautiful nativity scenes to enrich its collection, later showcasing them in exhibitions both domestically and abroad.

During the contest and exhibition, we primarily admire the nativity scenes, often overlooking their creators. It is to these artisans that we owe the preservation and development of this unique tradition. The creators not only produce unique works but also teach and encourage others to build nativity scenes, contributing to the transmission and preservation of the Kraków nativity tradition. Particularly important is the development of this craft within families, often passed down from generation to generation, leading to the creation of nativity scene dynasties. As early as the 19th century, we have records of such families, like the Ezenekiers and Owsińskis in Krowodrza or the Maliks in Zwierzyniec. The “mother nativity scene” crafted by the Ezenekiers has survived from that time (and is housed in the Ethnographic Museum in Kraków), while the Malik family is now in its sixth generation of nativity scene makers. This is an admirable exception, as in many families, the tradition ends after the third generation. The longest-standing nativity scene dynasties include the Dłużniewskis, Gillerts, Głuchs, Markowskis, Ożogs, Paczyńscy-Czyżs, as well as the Freiberg brothers, the Madej brothers, and the Delkowski-Konieczny and Zarzycki siblings. In 2018, a new category for family nativity scenes was introduced to the competition, further strengthening the tradition of nativity creation in subsequent families, where young creators often make nativity scenes independently. The following families have competed in the family nativity category thus far: Adamski, Bednarz, Bind, Dumański, Gawarecka, Mystkowska and Klaś, Gruchacz, Jaskiern, Kaczyński, Kochan, Maciaszek, Marszalik, Pater, Pawul, Rudzinski, Solecki, Szwast, and Włosik. Some only participate for a few contests, while others stay longer, developing their passion.

Thanks to these nativity scene makers — the custodians of the tradition — and with the support of the Kraków Museum, the craft was added in 2014 to the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and in 2018, as the first phenomenon from Poland, to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Therefore, at the current post-contest exhibition of Kraków nativity scenes, the images of these artisans welcome us into the exhibition halls, where the works of many of these creators can be viewed.

This year, on December 5, 2024, nativity scene creators will bring their works to the Main Market Square and display them on the steps of the Adam Mickiewicz monument, where they can be admired from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. After the Kraków bugle call at 12:00 p.m., a procession of nativity scenes will circle the Market Square, led by a folk band from Bronowice, and proceed to a stage where the nativity scenes will be presented. The creators will then bring their works to Krzysztofory Palace, where they will be evaluated by a jury consisting of historians, ethnographers, art historians, architects, and visual artists.

The contest winners will be announced on December 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the Copper Hall of Krzysztofory Palace.

As tradition dictates, the nativity scenes will be displayed to the public from December 9, 2024, to March 2, 2025, at the post-contest exhibition at Krzysztofory Palace.

The 82nd Kraków Nativity Scene Contest and post-contest exhibition are under the honorary patronage of the Polish National Commission for UNESCO.