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From: "mzendejas" <>
Subject: [POLAND] Polish Nativity
Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2002 22:02:16 -0600


I just went to see an exhibit here entitled "Expressions of Faith: Biblical Folk Sculptures from Poland" at the LDS Winter Quarters Visitor Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The featured speaker was a professor of Germanic and Slavic Languages who lived in Poland for about 5 years. Unfortunately, I thought the speaker was there tonight, and as it turns out, he was there last night. Although I still got to see all the beautiful wood sculptures and painting, I didn't get to hear some of the stories behind them. One exhibit was interesting, and the girl who was there couldn't remember the story that was told about it.. This is where I am hoping someone can help me with...
In one nativity set, other than the usual, Joseph, Mary, Jesus, 3kings, shephers, angel, etc, were 4 other figures that they said were typical to nativity parade in Poland. They included a Roman Soldier, a Roman soldier dressed as an angel, a man masked as the devil, and an man with the mask that had a beard and cane. Since I missed the speaker, all she could remember about it was that it had to do with Herod. So, I am hoping that someone who knows the Polish traditions could help me understand it, or could lead me to a web site that I could read about it!
Thanks,
Monica

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