Estonia Haridusselts, Vanalinna Hariduskolleegium and Tallinna Kesklinna Valitsus will open the traditional Nativity Scenes Street on the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day, on Friday, December 5 at 15:00 in Niguliste Church and at 15:45 in front of Tallinn Town Hall.
At 15:00 Niguliste Museum director Merike Kurisoo will present the depiction of Jesus with his mother and grandmother on Niguliste’s main altar retable. The ensemble Tuuleviiul will perform under the direction of Kristi Alas. Admission is free.
Following the opening ceremony, a procession will move to the Town Hall, led by Mary and Joseph walking with a donkey, sheep and the children accompanying them, together with bishops, choristers and guests, where at 15:45 RKK’s Bishop of Tallinn Philippe Jourdan and EELK Archbishop Emeritus Andres Põder will bless Tallinn’s nativity scene. The procession will then continue through Vanaturu kael to Vene Street, where the bishops will bless the nativity scenes displayed in shop windows. The ceremony will conclude in the courtyard of Vanalinna Hariduskolleegium’s Vene 22 teaching building, where a surprise awaits the children and all participants will mark the arrival of St. Nicholas’ Day with hot mulled wine and gingerbread cookies.
The tradition of making nativity scenes is much loved and popular in many parts of the world. In 2015, when eight centuries had passed since Livonia was named Estonia, Estonia Haridusselts initiated the revival of this old Christmas tradition. At that time almost 50 nativity scenes were made both in schools and in many families, which were put on display for Advent in Tallinn’s Old Town on Vene Street and its surroundings in the windows of cafés, shops, craft workshops and school buildings. For two years a nativity scene from Estonia has been sent for public display at the Vatican.