Cristina Hodgson
THE Living Nativity Scene in Beas (Huelva), the oldest in Andalucia and the second oldest in Spain, will not open its doors to the public this year.
For the first time in its 50 year history, the living Belen organised by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Clares has been cancelled for health concerns due to the situation generated by the coronavirus pandemic.
Beas living crib, which received the Gold Medal of the Province, is considered one of the seven wonders of Huelva and represents the main tourist attractions of the town.
The living Bethlehem represents traditional biblical scenes, with children and animals as protagonists.
Many offices and bygone ways of life are displayed, making use of tools and other old elements in the representation.
Each scene is something typical of the lifestyle of the village throughout its history, and all of them use antiques: domestic articles, furniture and household utensils, farm tools, weight and measurement instruments.
Scenes of local customs dedicated to trades such as cobblers, blacksmith, seamstress and potter are also typically displayed.
In previous years, around the Belen, which usually attracts over 20,000 visitors a year, a traditional market of chestnuts, home-made sweets, chocolate, ceramics and traditional handicrafts is also set up.
