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How to visit Lignano Sand Nativity 2018

28 February 2019 / By Valentina

On 8th December 2018 inaugurates the XV edition of the Sand Nativity in Lignano organized by the Association Dome Aghe e Savalon d’Aur. It's a very important appointment that since many years attracts in Lignano in Winter many curious people fascinated by the beauty of sand sculptures.

Every year for Lignano Sand Nativity a theme is choosen for the ehibition. 

In 2017 the theme was the earthquake in Friuli and First World War, this year the theme choosen is the Canticle of the Creatures by St. Francis of Assisi represented in the masterful transposition in sand of some of Giotto's masterpieces. A tribute to the Saint who was the first to put on scene a nativity the night of 24th December 1223.

As the previous one even the 15th edition of Lignano Sand Nativity is made by an international equipe of artists from Rome Sand Academy, guided by the skillfull Antonio Molin. Among the artists there we can praise the Dutch artist Charlotte Koster, considered one of the best sand artists in the world.

The Canticle of the Creatures at Lignano Sand Nativity 2018

Presepe di Sabbia 20185 Lignano

Sand Nativity visitors will be welcomed in the covered space by a big sculpture that describes the extraordinary and empathic relationship between St. Francis and the animal world.

From that point on the visitors will be immersed in the Sand Nativity theme: the Canticle of the Creatures. Scenes of St. Francis of Assisi pass by together with the representation in sand of the seven elements mentioned in the «Laudato si’» canticle (water, wind, sun, moon, starred sky, fire and "Mother earth").

The hearth of the art piece is the Nativity, inspired to the frescoes of "Birth of Christ" and "The Adoration of the Magi" painted by Giotto between 1303 and 1305 in the Cappella degli Scrovegni in Padua. 

Also the fresco "Greccio celebration", made between 1288-1292 in the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, belongs to Giotto: it has been partly reproduced in a high-relief in Lignano Sand Nativity.  The story tells that Francis asked and obtained from the Pope Onorio III the permission to represent the Nativity. The night of 24th December 1223 Francis was in the poor village of Greccio and there he gave life to the first Nativity scene in history.

Also this year you will find in the Sand Nativity area the Yule Tree that will collect on its branches thousand of messages containing wishes, feelings and good hopes for the upcoming year.

Sand Nativity numbers

15. The edition number of Lignano Sand Nativity 2018

400. The square meters of the exhibition area hosting the Sand Nativity on Lignano beach

350.  The cubic meters of sand used to realize the sculptures.

5. The artists of the international equipe of Rome Sand Academy that worked to build the Lignano Sand Nativity 2018

7. The weeks of work necessary to build up Lignano Sand Nativity 2018

Lignano Sand Nativity 2018 will be open till 27th January 2019.

Check out here opening days and times.

Visit the official website of Lignano Sand Nativity 2018.

Are you visiting the Sand Nativity in group and are you searching for a restaurant to have lunch? Terrazza a Mare restaurant offers fixed priced menus for groups (tel. 0431-724033 int. 4).

Check out all the Christmas and New Year events in Lignano Sabbiadoro.