The Vatican has announced that this year the traditional Christmas Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square will be sculpted out of sand.  The 1000 cubic metres of sand required will be donated by the seaside resort of Jesolo (Veneto), where every year artists from all over the world come to create impressive, though effimeral, works of art during the Sand Sculpture exhibition.

This year's Christmas Tree will also come from the Veneto region, from the Pordenone forest.

The traditional Christmas crib exhibition, which has been held in Piazza del Popolo for the past 42 years, will also change venue and will be held in the Pontificio Consiglio della Nuova Evangelizzazione in Via della Conciliazione leading up to St. Peter's basilica. The exhibition attracts Nativity Scene compositions from all over the world, many of which reflect the local environment and way of life of the various countries represented.

Info: www.100presepi.it  - 100presepi@pcpne.va