Condors and llamas from Peru will adorn the Vatican nativity scene

The traditional nativity scene that is usually installed in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on the occasion of Christmas, this year comes from Peru and will be adorned with Andean figures, llamas and condors, the Vatican announced this Friday.

The manger, made by the Peruvian community of Chopcca, a small town in the Andean region of Huancavelica, whose altitude varies between 3,680 and 4,500 meters and where Quechua is spoken, will be installed not far from the central obelisk in the Plaza de San Pedro.

The life-size characters, including the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, the Magi and the shepherds will be dressed in traditional costumes and blankets woven in the Huancavelica region.

The Three Wise Men will carry saddlebags with food from the region, including potatoes, quinoa, cañihua or kiwicha and will be accompanied by llamas.

“The birth of Jesus will be announced by an angel who will play the typical wind instrument called Wajrapuco”, States in a statement the government of the State of the City of Vatican.

The manger will include figures of Andean animals, such as alpacas, vicuñas, sheep, viscachas -a kind of rabbit-, flamingos and even condors.

With the Peruvian nativity scene the Vatican wishes to commemorate the two hundred years of the Independence of that country, reproducing the life of the Andean peoples, who “symbolize the universal call to Salvation, when the Son of God was incarnated to save every man and woman on earth, in whatever language, people, culture and nation to which they belong”, Emphasizes the note.

Along with the manger will be installed a Christmas tree, 28 meters high, from the Dolomites region, in northern Italy, which will be illuminated with “energy efficient LED lights”, Underlines the statement.