Oriental Crib @museum.de

F: "Having had the privilege of visiting the Holy Land three times and having got to know and love it, I felt I just had to build a crib in the oriental-style" ...

M: … explaines the president of our crib association, Pia Madert. She worked on this crib from 2004 until 2006 – though it was really intended for her living room.

F: At least that was the plan. But over the years, this multi-scene crib accumulated more and more scenes and figurines – and has certainly outgrown any living room by now.
In the background on the right, you can see the search for lodgings. A heavily pregnant Mary and Joseph are desperately looking for somewhere to stay.

M: "We have no room, you’ll have to move on", ...

F: ... once again, they’re turned away. They’re finally forced to make do with a stable, as the scene of Christ's birth shows.

M: The Three Wise Men arrive to pay homage to the baby Jesus. They offer gold, frankincense and myrrh. In Pia Madert’s version, they embody the stages of life: youth, middle age and old age. Others view the Three Wise Men as representing the three continents that were known at the time: Europe, Asia and Africa.

F: In the background on the left, you see the good news being proclaimed to the shepherds:

M: "A Saviour is born to you this day."

F: At first, the shepherds take fright when they see the figure of light. But then, they decide to seek out the baby Jesus and pay homage to him. However, some other shepherds remain sitting by their campfire.

M: On the right, by the fountain, stand the doubters, but the woman sets out all the same. As does the group of figures called “Gang zur Krippe”, “The Road to the Crib”. It was carved by Klaus Porten after a drawing by the Tyrolean painter Josef von Führich, and is hence known as the "Führich" group.

F: All this demonstrates that building a crib can be a joint effort. Klaus Porten carved the figurines in oriental dress from lime wood. The Three Wise Men were created about ten years after the Holy Family. Pia Madert carved the animals, and the figurines were painted by Erika Locher from Tyrol. The setting for this nativity scene was designed by Rupert Messner from the village of Baumkirchen in Austria.

M: And now, please make your way up to the next floor....