In the following link you can download the information of the Nativity Scene Contest of the Region of Murcia 2019:

• Bases Nativity Scene Contest of the Region of Murcia 2019

What is the Regional Nativity Scene Contest?

• It's a contest organized by the Ministry of Business, Industry and Spokesperson in collaboration with the Belén Cribs International Network Association of Murcia.
• The objectives of this contest are:
  • spread nativity scenes as one of the most deeply rooted traditions in regional crafts.
  • Involve citizens in choosing the winners and increase their interest in these products for Christmas, which can be purchased at the 35th edition of the Christmas Craft Show (also organized by the council) which takes place from December 5 to January 5 on Avenida Alfonso X el Sabio. The General Directorate of Commerce, Consumption and Crafts will have an institutional stand at this show.
• There are 8 categories. As a novelty this year, 3 new categories have been added:
  • individuals
  • Town halls
  • parishes
  • Associations
  • orchard clubs
  • Primary and secondary schools (NOVELTY)
  • Schools located in the municipalities affected by the DANA (NEW)
  • Nativity scene of social crafts (NEW): to encourage entities, organizations or insertion of people with disabilities or groups at risk of social or labor exclusion, to set up nativity scenes for Christmas.
• A technical commission will choose 2 finalists per category, which will be visited by the jury on December 17 and 18. You can also vote online.
• The Prizes will be awarded at an event which will be held next December 20th.
• The The winner of each category will receive an economic prize of 250 euros (except the town halls that will obtain a special mention).
• The jury it's made up of by personalities of recognized prestige from the world of the assembly of the Bethlehem. The choice of the winners will be based on the staging, perspective, lighting, representation of places in the Region of Murcia and that the figures are made by local nativity scenes.
• The Registration deadline to participate in the contest begins from the day of the presentation (November 27) and ends on December 11, and it is done through the website belencribs.org or in person at the Belén Cribs office.

BACKGROUND:

• Currently there 11 workshops registered in the Artisan Registry. One is located in Moratalla, 10 in Murcia and 7 in Puente Tocinos.
• the figures of the nativity scenes of the Region are made by hand with techniques from generation to generation, and with a high added value.
• The artisans of the Region make their nativity scenes from of 3 different styles: traditional salzillesco based on the Bethlehem of Salzillo, Hebrew that unites the polychromy of the figures with clothing such as tunics or turbans, and finally the orchard popular nativity scene in which rural society is recreated.
• In the last edition of the contest, 170 participants showed up (68 schools, 56 individuals, 25 associations and clubs, 11 town halls and 10 parishes).