Crib made in solidarity with Gazans

A nativity scene made of rubble has been placed in UCC in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

The scene, by staff at University College Cork, will be on display between until tomorrow, Friday 20 December.

A spokesperson said: “Research conducted by Amnesty International has found sufficient basis to conclude that Israel has committed and continues to commit genocide against the people of Gaza. All are welcome to come to the rubble nativity scene in UCC to think about the people of Gaza and to hope for the gift of freedom and peace for them and all Palestinians.”

The manger, constructed by UCC carpenters, is located on the walkway between the President’s Garden and the Student Centre.

The crib scene, put together by UCC staff, depicts the Christmas star shining above a destroyed Gaza, while the baby lies wrapped in a keffiyeh amongst the rubble. The nativity characters, Mary and Joseph, the angel, the three wise men, the shepherd and the animals are searching through the rubble for the baby, as so many Palestinians have done over the past year.

The donkey, made and donated by Cork Deaf Enterprises, played an important part in the nativity story 2,000 years ago as he carried Mary to Bethlehem.

“Over the past year, the precious donkey has carried Gazan families and all their belongings from one side of Gaza to another and back again as they have been displaced over and over and over again,” added the spokesperson.

The scene was inspired by that of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem and by the nativity scene in the Vatican.