Azorean nativity scene at Fall River market puts focus on forest preservation

FALL RIVER – An increasingly popular Christmas tradition for nearly a decade, an Azorean Presépio (nativity scene) has once again risen up in the middle of Fall River’s Portugalia Marketplace. But this year’s elaborate display cemented in religious and cultural customs was created with a very important message in mind: we need to protect the world’s forests.

“It’s a call for attention to the environment, the need for preservation, and the importance of our forests,” said artist Gualberto Cordeiro, who flew in from Portugal to create the Azorean-style village with styrofoam, clay, wood, moss and some other materials over the course of eight days.

“We suspended several trees from the ceiling to bring more attention to the eyes,” he added. “Some trees have no ornaments to convey that message of keeping trees in their natural state.”

The annual display stems from a collaboration between Portugalia Marketplace and nativity figurine collector Roberto Medeiros, of the Azores, who lent more than 400 clay figurines to help create the scene. There are villagers, farmers, pilgrims, animals and more. There are also shepherds, biblical scenes, the wise men and the manger with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

“This year, we decided to keep the Christmas tree separate from the nativity scene as a way to create sort of a boundary, to separate it from the world of man because humans are destroying the planet,” Medeiros said.

A religious procession marching through the village, a marching band, rotating shepherds and sheep, a windmill with spinning blades and a working clock are some of the moving elements that give life to the nativity scene/cultural display.

Every year, there are new surprises.

“There are more moving parts this year,” Cordeiro said. “We paid even more attention to small details and improved mechanisms to create a swifter, smoother movement. There are also more green areas, created with moss and sticks, and more lights.”

Medeiros said the display combines both American and Portuguese Christmas traditions and is in a sense a reflection of how the Portuguese communities celebrate the Holiday season in this country.

“In America, there’s no Christmas without a Christmas tree, and in the Azores there is no Christmas without a Presépio (nativity scene). So, we decided to combine both traditions,” he said. “We created these two different environments, which complement each other, because our community here always thinks of Portugal, and when they are there they think of those who are here.”

The figurines on display were created by Azorean artisan António Morais, who passed away four months ago.

“He was one of the best bonecreiros (figurine maker) of Lagoa,” said Medeiros. “The tradition of making nativity scenes is very strong in Lagoa. It started in 1862 with artists who worked in the ceramic factory there.”

Portugalia Marketplace’s Co-Owner and Vice-President of Business Development Michael Benevides said that his family looks forward to hosting the nativity scene every year.

“This has become a Portugalia tradition,” stressed Benevides addressing those gathered at the opening ceremony on Dec. 2.

“We see families come here, who bring their young children to see this much cherished tradition in the Portuguese community,” he added. “Let your friends know about it.”

Dozens turned out for the opening ceremony, including some dignitaries such as Portugal’s Ambassador to the United States Francisco Duarte Lopes, Consul of Portugal in New Bedford Rogério Lopes and Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan.

“It surpassed all my expectations,” noted the ambassador about both Portugalia Marketplace and the nativity scene.

Although this was his first visit to Fall River as ambassador, Lopes said he had previously visited this region in the 1980s as part of a group of Portuguese college students who spent several days at UMass Dartmouth and touring this area under the auspices of an initiative coordinated by the late Dr. Mary Vermette.

“It seems that there have been quite a few changes in this area… and for the better,” he said.

Mayor Coogan took this opportunity to welcome the ambassador to Fall River and present him with the key to the City.

“I was not expecting this,” admitted the ambassador. “This is quite an honor.”

Mayor Coogan told O Jornal the nativity scene is definitely something that’s worth checking out.

“It’s very detailed and it looks real,” he said. “It’s very nice and I think people should definitely swing by Portugalia to see it. It’s a part of Christmas in Fall River.”

Except for Christmas and New Year’s Day, the nativity scene can be visited daily through Jan. 10 at Portugalia Marketplace, 489 Bedford St.

Lurdes C. da Silva may be reached at ldasilva@ojornal.com. To read more stories about the Portuguese-speaking community in English and Portuguese, please visit ojornal.com.