"I hope that this year's theme will encourage reflection on the unity and brotherhood of peoples" said the Holy Father on the occasion of the inauguration of the Sand Nativity in Jesolo. The event was attended by the Patriarch of Venice, Francesco Moraglia and the bishop of Kiev.
Cutting of the ribbon for the Jesolo Sand Nativity. Yesterday, Thursday 8 December, the Patriarch of Venice, Monsignor Francesco Moraglia, blessed the Jesolo Sand Nativity, this year entitled "Sculptures of Peace". Together with the administration, the bishop of Kiev, monsignor Oleksandr Yazlovetskij also participated in the ceremony, who received from the patriarch the Light of peace of Bethlehem, which arrived in Jesolo thanks to the scout group of the city.
During his speech, Patriarch Moraglia read a message sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state of His Holiness, Pope Francis: On the occasion of the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition of sand Jesolo Sand Nativity 2022, the supreme pontiff addresses his auspicious greeting expressing his appreciation for the initiative and, in the hope that this year's theme dedicated to sculptures of peace will encourage careful reflection on the fundamental contribution of the Christian faith to unity and brotherhood of peoples, as well as artistic and cultural expressions. His Holiness, while assuring a remembrance in prayer, invokes abundant heavenly gifts from the Lord and cordially sends Your Excellency, the organizers, the entire community and all the participants the implored apostolic blessing.
The itinerary, made up of 10 sculptures created by 14 artists from all over the world, recounts evangelical episodes that represent peace as a universal value. On the other hand, the work "The Christmas Truce" is unrelated to religious tradition, which recounts a historical episode that actually happened: at Christmas 1914, during the First World War, the British and German troops established a spontaneous ceasefire on various front lines, laying down their weapons and playing a game of football. The 2022 edition is embellished by the wooden work "The winged lion of Vaia", created for the occasion by the sculptor Marco Martalar. The artist brought another of his extraordinary works downstream with him from the Asiago plateau, where he lives and works. The sculpture is made with spruce waste elements and beech scraps collected in the woods of the Dolomites, felled by the Vaia storm in 2018, and represents the winged lion depicted on the flag of the Veneto Region, unique in the world to contain the word "Peace". “The winged lion of Vaia” is made of 1,500 pieces of wood and weighs around 500 kilograms. It measures 3 meters in height, 5 in depth and 2 in width.
“This edition of Jesolo Sand Nativity is particularly important, because it turns 20 and we can say that it represents a bet won in prolonging the season, and then because it sends a strong message of peace but also of hope to the Ukrainian people and to the lands today tormented by the war – declared the mayor of the City of Jesolo, Christofer De Zotti -. We have tried to be close to the Ukrainian people with donations and by showing our closeness, which is why we are so happy that Patriarch Moraglia has accepted our invitation and we are honored to be able to have His Excellency Bishop Alessandro with us" .
Together with the mayor, representing the entire administration, also the Tourism councilor Alberto Maschio: “It's incredible how in twenty years the Jesolo Sand Nativity has managed to be better every year. It is a work of art but it is also much more: love, charity and communication. Today we talk about our locality but we also launch a universal message of peace, of closeness to the Ukrainian people but not only”.
“The crib of Jesolo is not only an aesthetic offer but also a tool for doing good: I have been to Africa and there is your concrete help in the schools and therefore in education and training – declared the Patriarch of Venice, Francesco Moraglia -. The answer you give today touches us all, with something concerning the land of Jesolo. Sand, as I stressed to the pope in 2018 on the occasion of the exhibition in St. Peter's Square, means beach and sea but also work. A work that becomes shared here and is worth walking together. Peace begins with my way of looking at others, of talking to them and of sharing with others the good I enjoy. For this reason, this nativity scene speaks of Jesolo and its inhabitants to the whole world”.
A message received by the bishop of Kiev, who explained: “I am very grateful to the mayor who invited me and I am happy to be among you. Here is a beautiful place, lit up, and I'm thinking of my country where instead many are in the dark. Our Christmas trees are turned off to save electricity, which we need for essential things. And all because of a war. However, we are not envious of your party but we are happy for you, because we feel support and closeness from all of Jesolo. You have welcomed many who have fled the war and who have found open doors here. For this, I sincerely thank you".
