Šumava cribs in the Charles Bridge Museum

From 2 December 2024 to 6 January 2025 they may visitors to the Charles Bridge Museum can admire a unique exhibition entitled Šumava Cribs.

The exhibition is a nice Advent greeting from the region where the Vltava River originates and where the tradition of carving survives despite dramatic history. Some of the wood carvings have left their homes in Šumava for the first time in history to be presented in the historic site of the Charles Bridge.

Šumava has always been a strong area of crib making. Folk carvers - woodworkers and woodcarvers and woodturners - especially in winter, inspired by the linden wood and art from local churches. Their works faithfully depicted the life of the Sumava countryside.

Among the most prominent authors is Prokop Mack with a large nativity scene from Kašperské Mountains (1859) or Wenzel Tutschku, whose colorful figures represent the world of of the peasants of the time. Important cribs were also created in Sušice, Železná Ruda and surrounding villages.

After 1989, the tradition was revived and is nowadays created, for example, by Karel Tittl, the creators of the great Šumava crib in Kašperské Hory or Michal Tesař from Dobrá Voda. New works by Jiří Koptík, linking traditional motifs with Šumava legends.

The exhibition is not only an artistic experience, but also a small spiritual stop: "Let's hurry to the crib, the holy place!" Let it be said again this year: Glory to God in the highest and peace to men of good will.

Full text of the article - including an engaging and colourful commentary by the curator of the exhibition, Mr. Horpeniak