Jesolo Sand Nativity

 

The sand nativity scene lights up Christmas.

Since 2002, the city of Jesolo, a well-known seaside resort in the province of Venice, has celebrated the magic of Christmas through a work of great charm and suggestion that enchants thousands of visitors from all over the world: Jesolo Sand Nativity, the sand nativity scene.
Every year, some of the best sand sculptors at an international level are involved in its creation, masters in bringing the authentic Christmas spirit back to life, through an art form that evokes childhood memories in the public.

Each edition is dedicated to a theme of contemporary society and, since 2004, has also been combined with a solidarity initiative: to date, the generosity of visitors has made it possible to contribute to the implementation of humanitarian projects around the world with over 900 thousand euros.

In the wake of its success and thanks to the active collaboration of the Patriarchate of Venice, in 2018 Sand Nativity took flight towards an extraordinary goal: the creation of a spectacular sand nativity scene in the heart of Christianity, the wonderful St. Peter’s Square in Rome. A nativity scene that has enchanted millions of visitors from all over the world in an atmosphere full of emotion and meaning.

The following year, in 2019, an extraordinary new edition of the Sand Nativity was revealed which saw the sculptures of the Nativity exhibited in Matera, the 2019 European capital of culture.

After the painful cancellation of the 2020 edition due to the pandemic, in 2021 Jesolo Sand Nativity returned to shine and enchant the faithful and visitors in Piazza Trieste. “The Sand of Miracles” was the theme of the nineteenth edition of the Sand Nativity which was presented to the public in a grandiose setting and a rich exhibition, made up of monumental sculptures and perspective views with painted scenography and olive trees, which accompanied the visitors in a unique emotional and spiritual journey.

In 2022, for the twentieth edition, Jesolo Sand Nativity enchanted visitors with a series of extraordinary artistic works on a universal and current theme: “Sculptures of Peace”. It was conveyed by 10 sculptures, shaped by 15 professional sculptors from various nations and coordinated by the artistic director Richard Varano. The artists discussed the theme of peace by dedicating their works to it, inspired both by evangelical episodes and historical facts.
Jesolo Sand Nativity 2022 welcomed visitors in the new location identified behind Piazza Brescia, home of the summer sculptures, a few steps from the Palazzo del Turismo and the Casa del Turismo, with a large car park available.

From 6 November 2023, with the start of the sculpting works, the twenty-first edition of Jesolo Sand Nativity begins to come to life. This year the Sand Nativity takes on the title of “In the footsteps of Francis of Assisi”, a journey that will tell the life of the Saint of Assisi through 12 key episodes exactly 800 years after its creation by the “poor man of Assisi” of the first nativity scene in history in Greccio. These moments will be represented by 14 artists from all over the world, professional sculptors coordinated by the new artistic director of the event, the Canadian David Ducharme, and thanks to the precious collaboration of the Sacred Convent of San Francesco in Assisi.

The Comet Star continues its journey!