During the Christmas holidays, but not limited to them, there are many nativities on display and some of them are even permanent exhibitions year round.
The most famous nativities in Liguria are created with ceramic Macachi figurines.
Macachi are about 12-centimeter tall figurines which represent nativity characters.
Before the Macachi, in Liguria, there existed a centuries-old nativity scene tradition, which dates back to the sixteenth century. The nativity scene was represented through statues, especially in wood, authentic but large works of art. Naturally the clients were nobles, clergy, notables and rich merchants. It lost its importance during the eighteenth century, and subsequently, with the Napoleonic edicts, those sacred representations were even banned. In this historical context, alongside an activity that has been the pride of the city for centuries, ceramic production, the nativity scene was revived starting from terracotta.
This small artisan revolution exploded above all in the province of Savona and the creators were women: mothers, wives and daughters of those who worked in the factories. They were the ones who made the nativity scene figurines with the waste from the use of terracotta for vases and other containers.
Those early simple figurines, with their eyes and mouths made with simple dots, were called Macachi (monkeys) in a derogatory way by the master ceramists, but they were something new and original and they became popular.
The original Macachi are 25 characters which include the Holy Family and good shepherds with gifts, all representing ancient crafts from the region.
Macachi
In the Savona province, not far from Genoa, there is a beautiful nativity which is never taken down but which is shown only during the months of December and January.
The 25 Macachi are obviously part of this nativity, alongside many other figurines. Some are made with terracotta as well, others are mechanical and give life to a 130 square meters nativity scene which faithfully reproduces the landscape of Albisola Superiore at the beginning of the 19th century.
The scene is built using plywood, sand, concrete and slate and its figurines represent Ligurian crafts and arts such as the activities of farmers, potters, woodcutters, fishermen, blacksmiths, olive pickers and also ceramic artisans.
In this nativity, night follows day and as dusk falls the street lamps light up, the houses light up and the stars peek out at night.
by night
by day
The artisans (moving figurines) stop working when night falls and then resume their activities after the ‘rooster sings’ and the light comes back.
At the back of the scene, there are mountains made of crepe-paper and a continuous snowfall gives extra charm to the scene.
More nativities are found throughout the region, some made with life-size wooden figurines wearing traditional clothes, some carved in wood or sculpted in stone and some organized with real actors and real animals.
It is a tradition here for families to visit at least one nativity during the month of December or January as it is considered both a festive entertainment and a moment to think about religion and spirituality.
The nativity scenes are normally organized by schools, churches and associations across the territory and the entrance is always free of charge but they do accept donations which are used for charities of various sorts or to organize the event again the following year.
Volunteers are normally around to ask questions about the nativity presented and to sell figurines as well.
At times, they offer stands with hot chocolate or homemade cookies to raise additional funds for charity purposes.
Nativity made with wooden panels and clothes
