The 5 beautiful nativity scenes finalists of the National Birth Contest in Peru

The XX National Nativity Contest “Christmas is Jesus” continues to captivate dozens of visitors in Lima, the capital of Peru, with its cultural, artistic and spiritual wealth. This contest, which brings together the best works of artisans from all over the country, already has its five finalists.

The five works, selected from 47 unique proposals, reflect not only the creativity of their authors, but also a deep devotion and love for the Child Jesus throughout generations.

1. “Miraculous Christmas in my Quinua Town” – Denisse Sánchez Aparicio (Ayacucho)

Denisse Sánchez Aparicio, a prominent artisan from the district of Quinua, department of Ayacucho, in the southern mountains of Peru, describes her work as a tribute to her community and the traditions that marked her childhood.

“I wanted to capture in my birth the saints of the Church of Quinua, such as the Virgin of Cocharcas and the Child Manuelito, who are an essential part of our celebrations,” he said in an interview with ACI Prensa. Its birth includes three scenes inspired by emblematic places, such as Condorcunca Hill and the Wari archaeological complex.

Denisse shared the central message of her work: “I want to convey that we must not let the traditions that fill us with faith and hope be lost. “Christmas is not just a date, it is a reminder of the peace and happiness that Jesus brings us.”

In addition, he highlighted how the slip burnishing technique allows us to highlight the beauty of the ceramic details: “Each character carries with them a story, like the devotees of my town who are no longer with us, but whose faith remains alive in our traditions.” .

2. “Long-awaited Christmas in Q’eros” – Ángela Sierra Casanova (Cusco)

Ángela Sierra Casanova rescues with her work the traditions of the Q’eros nation, one of the ancient towns of the Tawantisuyo or Inca Empire.

The birth reflects the union “between the Catholic religion and our Andean roots,” he explained to ACI Prensa. The central characters are a family of Q’eros, representing the Holy Family, accompanied by musicians, shepherds and offerings from all regions of Peru.

Angela emphasizes the importance of faith in her work: “The love of the Child Jesus is present in every family, even the most humble and remote ones. “That is what I wanted to express, that He always arrives accompanied by music, enthusiasm and love.”

The technique used combines acrylic paint, pressed cardboard, wires and enamel finishes, achieving a visual effect that highlights the expressions and details of each figure.

3. “Peasant Birth” – Genoveva Núñez Herrera (Cusco)

Genoveva Núñez Herrera, an elderly Peruvian woman, presented a birth inspired by her childhood and the nature that surrounded her in the heights of Ollantaytambo, Cusco.

“I wanted to capture the connection between nature and divine work,” Genoveva explained to ACI Prensa. “The Holy Spirit, the angels, the flowers and the celestial colors that represent the cold of the heights reflect how God is present in everything he created.”

The artisan used traditional techniques, such as mixing plaster with parboiled potatoes and natural pigments. “Every detail is done with faith and love, because for me, doing this birth is like being present among people, with that enthusiasm of going to see the Baby Jesus,” she adds excitedly.

Genoveva also dedicates this work to her late husband, the master craftsman Jesús Urbano Rojas: “He taught me everything I know. This birth is a thank you to God and my husband for everything they have given me.”

4. “The star shines in the jungle” – Feriberto Aylas (Ayacucho)

Feriberto Aylas brings to the final a birth that celebrates the richness of the Peruvian jungle. In his work, animals surround the Baby Jesus, he has sought to reflect a message of harmony and reconciliation.

“The jungle was my home for many years, and I wanted to convey that experience in my work. Every animal, every detail, speaks of divine creation and how faith can unite even opposites,” Feriberto told ACI Prensa.

The artisan uses traditional Quinoa clay and techniques of matting and burning at high temperatures. “The faith I transmit is that even in our differences, like good and bad animals, we can find unity and peace in God,” he says.

5. “A happy meeting” – Silvia Huamán Loa (Lima)

Silvia Huamán Loa’s work is made of burlap, a technique that combines fabric and sewing to create scenes full of color and life.

“I wanted to represent that magical moment of family reunion around the birth of Jesus. It is a call to return to love and unity, which are gifts from God,” Silvia explained to ACI Prensa.

In his work, each figure is made with recycled materials and reflects the cultural diversity of Peru. “Faith is the common thread of my birth. It is that hope that drives us to believe in a better tomorrow,” he concluded.