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The Universalis Fœderatio Præsepistica (Un. Fœ. Præ.), in collaboration with the Dutch National Association of Friends of the Nativity Scene Vrienden van de Kerstgroep – Nederland, is this year offering all its member associations the fourth in a series of paper nativity scenes to create and collect.
The Nativity scene, designed and painted by the Dutch artist Aisha de Vaal, will be printed in a limited edition and depicts a collage of the various regions of the Netherlands and their inhabitants. The nativity scene features a landscape rich in lush green grass, ditches, bridges, windmills, reed beds, birch trees, beech trees, fruit trees, wild chervil, yellow beetroot, rapeseed and, of course, tulips and poppies. Higher up, on a hill, one can see a characteristic landscape of reclaimed land (polder). A lighthouse guiding sailors towards the harbour is a must. As is known, a quarter of the Netherlands lies below sea level and, without dykes and dunes, half the country would be submerged by salt water.
This Nativity scene features traditional green wooden houses from the Zaanstreek region, as well as white half-timbered houses from South Limburg. The scene includes a number of animals typical of the Netherlands: waterfowl, sheep and goats, and even a Scottish Highland cow. All the figures depicted wear the traditional costumes of the province they represent and are bringing gifts for Jesus from their homeland: a fisherman from the north of the country with a basket full of herrings; a girl with a wheel of Alkmaar cheese; and from the south of the Netherlands – the ‘Bulb Region’ – here comes a barge laden with flowers. In the past, flowers and bulbs were transported in large quantities on these unusual ‘gardening barges’. These were flat-bottomed boats that were pushed along the canals using a long pole. You can also see a Friesian horse, an elegant breed with a black coat, gentle temperament and a majestic appearance. Riding the horse are two ladies carrying a large bouquet of tulips and wearing traditional Zeeland costumes.
As is well known, the bicycle is a very popular means of transport in the Netherlands, thus a couple riding their bicycles is included. Another couple, from Friesland, is carrying small wooden platters known as ‘Friesische Läufer’ full of delicacies: cranberries from the Wadden Islands.
From the province of Drenthe, situated in the north east of the country amidst unspoilt natural landscapes, home to dolmens dating back over 5,000 years, an elegant lady standing on a burial mound (a symbol of the province of Drenthe) carries a so-called ‘Drenther Turf’, a spiced sweet shaped like a piece of peat.
A fisherwoman holds a string of smoked eels, symbolising the multicultural society of the Netherlands, whilst another figure in Brabant costume carries a basket of the famous Bossche Bollen, a pastry filled with cream and covered in chocolate. When you are assembling the nativity scene, keep the image of the complete scene in mind, as it will help you position the various figures (characters, trees, buildings, animals) according to the layout. If you wish to be creative, you can build your own nativity scene by arranging the cut-out shapes as you see fit.
The creator of this beautiful nativity scene writes:
My name is Aisha, I’m 40 years old and I live in Amsterdam with my husband Wouterand our two lovely daughters, Magali (12) and Alba (7). I love my family, my job, the city I live in, going on lovely walks, horse-riding with my daughter, having fun with friends and, of course, painting.
I studied at the Hotelschool The Hague and have spent most of my life in the hospitality sector, working in The Hague, Amsterdam, Scheveningen and, for several years, in Paris. Later in life, I changed careers and moved into social work. Today, I help people struggling with addiction and mental health issues to regain stability and improve their quality of life.
Together with my work, I devote a lot of time to painting, which is a way for me to express my emotions. I have been asked to create a paper model of a painted Dutch nativity scene and I am very honoured and excited to be working on this project.
