Nativity scene with Italian artistic touch in the Brussels Cathedral

(Brussels) There is an Italian artistic touch in the international exhibition of nativity scenes in the Brussels Cathedral. A group of young people studying catechism at the Foyer Catholique under the direction of Father Claudio Visconti, have joined forces with the talent and commitment of sculptress and art therapist Tiziana Buffagni.

The exhibition and collective artwork. Tiziana Buffagni is an Italian-Hungarian artist who lives and works in Brussels. She is a volunteer in the creative workshops for children studying catechism in the Italian community of the Foyer Catholique Européen, animated by Father Visconti. She accompanied the process for creating a terracotta nativity scene on the occasion of the traditional exhibition of nativity scenes from world countries, on display throughout Advent and until Christmas in the central cathedral of Saint-Michel et Gudule.

The nativity scene – she told SIR – is the result of a “collaborative workshop” with the children attending catechism classes.

It features the main terracotta items created by Tiziana: a grotto in the shape of a stone-like Divine Hand, which “symbolises the gift of the Holy Family to all humanity”; sheep gathered around an olive tree, the Three Wise Men, Herod’s castle, shepherds and small houses “inspired by the Palestinian architecture of the time of Jesus.”

The background work. The workshop is “first and foremost a creative craft activity”. However, the artist explains, “it is also a time for spiritual reflection. While working the clay, the children were invited to focus on their breathing and to join a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide the work of their hands. This sacred dimension makes the workshop a unique experience of art and faith.” Once the workshop is over, Tiziana personally supervises each stage of the preparation and baking of the terracotta pieces, thus guaranteeing the quality of the end result. The firing process involves baking the terracotta in a kiln at over 1,000°C, which requires constant supervision for about 13 hours. Then comes the final phase: once the firing is complete, “any cracks are smoothed out and the items are finished with three layers of natural wax, which gives the terracotta a warm and harmonious shine.”

Nativity scene with a community flair. “The contrast between the polished terracotta and the green moss, freshly harvested from the Forêt des Soignes near Brussels, enhances the overall harmony of this Christmas display.”

“More than being an ornament,” says Tiziana, “this nativity scene symbolizes a community united by art, faith and creativity.”

She adds: “There is no greater joy for me – says the artist – than to see these children immersed in artistic creation, with an inspired look that mixes the sacred with the awareness that they are a symbolic part of something greater than themselves.” In short, art, prayer, play and friendship come together in the Nativity. “It can be seen in their facial expressions which show that they are proud of what they are doing, involved – albeit humble. Even the expression of each of the little figures that they create is unique, authentic, and at the same time incorporates a feature of their personality, of their mystery. There is no need for any particular artistic technique, everything happens naturally.”

“Everyone adds something of themselves.” This spontaneity “is what makes working with them so special: the children have a remarkable ability to enter a world of symbols. In these moments, they are not just in a creative workshop in the Brussels Foyer: they are in Bethlehem: they are this little sheep (or dinosaur… because every year at least one dinosaur inevitably appears, and that’s fine), they are this little figurine they are making.

They have the ability to marvel at one of the most sacred events in our tradition.

Everyone puts something of themselves into it. And that is what makes this collective effort so special.”

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