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Published: December 22nd 2008
The Czechs call them Betlems, the French Creches and the Americans Manger Scenes
In 2005 when we were going to Prague in January people we met who had lived in Prague for a year on a Fulbright teacher exchange told us they were so sorry we were going to miss Christmas in Prague since we would not, in all likelihood, be seeing any of the famous Betlehems (The Czech spelling of Bethlehem) which ...
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Peggy
non-member comment
Been there too!!
Hi! My husband and I spent 15 years (after the Revolution) living and working in the Czech Republic. He is a Lutheran minister, so the Betlems immediately captured my attention as well. Other references to the real meaning of Christmas were highly discouraged under Communism, but these were allowed as part of Czech artistic culture. I have see n so many amazing ones and began to collect them - buying one or more in each village, museum, outdoor market, gift shop, etc. that I would find. I also bought them when we traveled to other countries on vacation. I have some wonderful wooden, ceramic, cornhusk, straw, paper and glass Betlems. I have been asked to display as many as I can for a Christmas stroll in Dec. in a town near where we live. When I have more time, I will send you photos of some of mine. I also have one printed on cardstock that requires construction and I have never gotten to it. I have the cookie cutters to make one of gingerbread which is so much fun - I will begin making a new one soon. Glad to have seen your article! PEGGY