Exhibition | accessibility.time_to
Ox, donkey and sheep are a familiar part of many European cribs. But in other parts of the world, nativity scenes feature camels, elephants and even flamingos. Every crib therefore not only tells the Christmas story, but also reveals something about the people and wildlife in the place where it’s from. The traditional Christmas exhibition at the National Museum Zurich presents cribs from all over the world and this year takes a closer look at the animals and what they symbolise. As always, the exhibition will be accompanied by a varied supporting programme for the whole family.
Guided tour of the exhibition «Christmas & Cribs».
1 hour
Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
Guided tours in English can be arranged, even outside opening hours. Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
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at least 2 weeks in advance |
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Duration: |
1 hour guided tours, other services by prior arrangement |
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Group size: |
max. 25 people |
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Cost: |
Guided tours for school classes from Switzerland are free of charge. |
openinghours.days.long.monday Open till openinghours.days.long.friday openinghours.openfromto.long
This year’s traditional Christmas & Cribs exhibition takes a look at the animals in nativity scenes. Depending on which part of the world they’re from, cribs can feature all sorts of wildlife, from the familiar ox and donkey, to lamas, parrots and even elephants.
Animals such as oxen, donkeys and sheep are just as much part of a nativity scene as Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Although not explicitly mentioned in the Gospel, animals already appeared in early nativity scenes. They are important secondary figures, representing divine creation, innocence and harmony. Nativity scenes are strongly influenced by culture and every single crib tells us something about the people who made and use it. The animals depicted also reflect the local culture and wildlife. The exhibition includes a Königsberg crib from what is now Czechia, with animals ranging from domesticated oxen and donkeys to wild animals, such as ibex, deer and storks. Meanwhile, cribs from outside Europe replace the traditional nativity animals with local substitutes. So, for example, a crib from Peru includes lamas, parrots and flamingos. And another from Peramiho in Tanzania features elephants, hippopotamuses and rhinoceroses. This diversity of wildlife shows how the crib tradition is rooted in different cultures and reinterpreted.
The traditional crib exhibition at the National Museum Zurich presents 12 cribs from all over the world with a special focus on animals, and as usual offers a varied accompanying programme for the whole family.
