The living nativity scene of Matera suitable for children and disabled people

This year’s edition of “Living nativity scene in the Sassi of Matera” will be characterized by hospitality, inclusiveness and sustainability. This was announced during the presentation of the fourteenth edition of the event by the creator Luca Prisco, administrator of the organizing company Sud Promotion. The nativity scene it will take place in Sasso Caveoso along a 1.5 kilometer routeon 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 December and 4 and 5 January 2025.

Over 200 extras will liven up the performancewith spaces and scenes that will reproduce Jerusalem in the time of Jesus up to the ‘Nativity’, which this year will be characterized by a ‘plastic picture’. Visitors will be welcomed in Piazza San Pietro Caveoso by the ancient gate of Jerusalem and a Roman camp. Along the route there will be small groups of musicians who will perform Christmas songs. “The peculiarity of this year’s route – explained Prisco – will aim at greater usability, in particular for the most fragile groups of guests with a view to inclusion and hospitality”.

In fact, always respecting the particular shape of the itinerary, the areas subject to less accessibility for the ffamilies with children, for the elderly and for people with disabilities (motor, mental and auditory) will be equipped with ad hoc walkways aimed at facilitating transit, breaking down architectural barriers and streamlining the flow of visitors, so as to guarantee the best infrastructural safety conditions. Furthermore, the presence of adequately trained staff will represent further assistance to visitors in terms of “audio” assistance with the use of the Lis language (for hearing diversity).

The time slot from 2.30pm to 3.30pm will be guaranteed, dedicated to this type of visitor in order to allow all possible attention and a real “tasting” of the nativity scene, as a complete sensorial experience. As for the path, this year, with a view to sustainability to be expressed in environmental, social and economic terms, all the works to be carried out were based on the reduction of impacts, first and foremost environmental, considering the particular architecture of the natural “stage” which will welcome the event.

In fact, the reproduction of the housing/play-recreational artefacts inspired by the various protagonist figures and intended to host the different scenes will be entrusted to wooden constructions covered with branches and straw, with a low landscape impact. Specifically, for the first year the entire route involved in the event will be completely “zero impact”, meaning that self-rechargeable energy sources with photovoltaic panels will be used exclusively. Last year the nativity scene reached 40 thousand visitors, with an economic return for the city quantified at two million euros. This year there are already reservations for groups that will reach Matera with 240 buses.