Last Monday, the bishop of the diocese of Coria-Cáceres, in the far northeast of Extremadura (Spain), blessed a Nativity scene made from more than 900 Playmobil pieces. In a press release published by the diocese, Monsignor Jesús Pulido explained that he visited the Nativity scene with his 9-year-old nephew, “and it is an experience that I want to recommend to all parents and uncles like me: come and see and make sure you bring your children with you.”
After the blessing, bishop Pulido said that “it was truly a joy visiting this Nativity scene with a kid who is preparing for his first communion [that is, his nephew]. I asked him some random questions, and he answered them all in detail. For example, I asked him why they would include pyramids in this Nativity scene, and he immediately replied that one of the Three Wise Men was African, and thus he had to cross Egypt in order to get to Bethlehem.” In fact, this Nativity scene includes the different places of departure of each Wise Man: Melchior departs from a castle in central Europe, Gaspar does the same from a palace in the Far East, Balthasar travels with his royal entourage from the African savannah.
Playmobil is a German line of toys that has been produced by the Brandstätter Group since the mid 70s. And whereas the signature Playmobil toy is a 3-inch human figure with a smiling face, an always-growing range of accessories, buildings, vehicles, animals, and themed playsets (Nativity scenes included) are part and parcel of the general Playmobil line. Playmobil toys are usually produced in themed series of sets as well as individual special figures and playsets.
The Nativity scene in Coria stands on a 10 x 5 meter platform, making it the biggest Nativity scene in the area. The diocese is already planning to extend the Nativity scene the coming year, reaching 1,000 Playmobil pieces, covering the central nave of the church.
