Nativity Art Exhibition and Competition

The Nativity Art Exhibition and Competition in San Salvo

In the heart of the historic center of San Salvo, a town in the Province of Chieti overlooking the Trabocchi Coast in Abruzzo, the Christmas season comes alive every year with the Nativity Art Exhibition and Competition. Set up within the evocative spaces of the Porta della Terra Civic Museum (the town's ancient archaeological museum), the exhibition gathers artistic nativity scenes of every size and style, from classic representations to creative contemporary interpretations.

A competition of ancient craftsmanship

The initiative stems from a proposal by the San Salvo Amici del Presepe Association, a member of the Italian Association of Friends of the Nativity (A.I.A.P.), and is held under the patronage of the Municipality of San Salvo. Over the years, it has become a traditional appointment for enthusiasts and artists in the field, with the goal of promoting the small-scale craft of miniature art which, combined with the Christmas spirit, creates a unique art form deeply linked to local culture.

The works and the juries

The nativity scenes in competition are evaluated by a technical jury, composed of experts in the artistic and cultural field, and by a popular jury formed by the visitors. The evaluation follows well-defined criteria: scenography, color palette, lighting, construction technique, vegetation, the emotional impact of the Nativity, and the quality of the figures. Recent editions have seen participation extending well beyond the borders of Abruzzo, with works arriving from Puglia and Molise as well.

From setup to the Epiphany awards

Registration opens in autumn via the application form available on the Municipality's official website; the works are delivered at the beginning of December for setup. The exhibition then remains open to visitors throughout the holiday period, with afternoon opening hours, until January 6th, the day of Epiphany, when the closing event with the awarding of the winners by the two juries takes place.

A symbol of Christmas in San Salvo

The Nativity Art Exhibition and Competition represents one of the most cherished events in the San Salvo Christmas calendar. Beyond its competitive dimension, the exhibition offers residents and visitors an emotional journey through meticulously detailed settings, a testament to the vitality of nativity art in the Province of Chieti and throughout Abruzzo.