The largest nativity scene in South America is exhibited in Loja

This birth is already a tradition of the Christmas season, especially because of its large size. The manger was named “Father Jimmy Arias”, as a tribute to the priest who promoted the creation of the nativity scene and who died last April due to complications derived from covid-19.

For the first time the largest manger in the country was set up in the Cathedral of Loja, then it went to the Cuenca temple until 2018 and now, in this 2021, it again returned to Loja to the facilities of the Don Daniel shopping center, located south of the city.

Alexis Arias Piedra, brother of Father Jimmy, said that the installation began on October 15 and on December 15 it opened its doors for all visitors.

Father Jimmy Arias’ Christmas crib, considered the largest in South America, will be on display until January 20, 2022, from 10:00 to 21:00, Monday through Sunday.

“The work was arduous, more than 12 people worked per day to complete the work that is now visible to the public, at no cost to their income,” said Alexis Arias, brother of the deceased priest.

It is a manger contemplated in the Palestinian landscape that recreates the scenes of Jesus Christ, from his birth to the flight to Egypt. “It is not only the largest in the country, but also in South America, due to its characteristics and dimensions. It contains more than 600 moving figures, 800 static figures, a river 20 meters away with real water and houses with light, because the manger has phases of real life such as: day, dusk, night and dawn ”, he adds Arias.

The manger throughout the day presents music and an explanation of its characteristics. All the material is recyclable, such as paper, polyurethane foam, among others, giving it a rocky and colorful finish. All this would be valued at around $ 25,000 for the restoration and installation.

“We spare no effort in this because we consider that it is extremely important that we can once again expose the monumental manger to the public,” says Vicente Espinosa, administrator of the shopping center and adds that this year it has been called “The voice that cries out in the desert , the ways of the Lord ”, being a catechetical theme that also serves to teach children and adults.

There are 240 square meters that must be seen in route at each station, with all the details that have involved hard work. “The people who worked with Father Jimmy are the ones who have taken care of the installation with impressive affection,” says Espinosa.

There are records that this manger, when it was installed in the cathedral church, was visited by around 160 thousand people, in the cathedral church of Cuenca it registered 500 thousand people and on this occasion, the attendance of at least 100 thousand visitors is expected. being the free entrance. (I)