The Nativity scene is the representation of Jesus' birth.  The three dimensionality is one of the features that distinguishes the Nativity Scene from paintings, fres-HOTEL cos, mosaics with the same subjects. Another feature is the realism of the scene that gives to the representation a sense of reality, as if one was really there.
Through the centuries, the Nativity Scene has always maintained these features. Today, this kind of art is very popular, thanks to many artists and artisans who diffuse their art from Italy to the rest of the world.
To celebrate the end of the second millennium, UNESCO, in collaboration with the Bethlehem municipality and the Bethlehem 2000 project and other private and public institutions, decided to bring back to Bethlehem its tradition through the International Na-tivity Museum, providing the opportunity for visitors to relive again the Nativity Scene each according to their own culture and artistic tradition. The Museum was commissioned by UNESCO for the 2000 jubilee un-SOS-KINDER der the direction of Dr. Alfredo Troisi, creater of the large International Exposition of the Nativity Scene in Art and Tradition, one of the most important in the world dedicated to the Nativity Scene, that has been shown in the Arena of Verona for many years.
The exhibition is housed in the building of the Salesian Institute which was built in the 19th century in the Arabian-Norman tradition to underline the ecumenical nature of the Institute. The climate of "true history" and a significant spiritual experience created by the place, sounds, lights, and multimedia, increase the impact of the works exhibited from all over the world, transforming the spectator from visitor to actor in an unchanged story over the centuries.

International Nativity Museum - Salesian Street, Bethlehem Tel. (02) 2766585, Fax: (02) 2766586

The popular highlight of the Easter celebrations in Palestine takes place on the Saturday preceding Easter Sunday (this year on the 22nd of April for the Latin and Catholic Churches and the 29th of April for the Greek Orthodox churches) called the "Saturday of Light" or Sabt el Nour in Arabic. On that day, thou-sands of Christians from all over Palestine flock to Jerusalem to take part in the celebration of the "Light", connected to the light of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
For the Latin churches, Mass begins at 19:00 with the lights turned off and people carry candles into the church. The Priest enters the church carrying the light and lights all the candles. Later on, scout groups celebrate the holy light in the streets of the old city until the midnight mass.
For the Greek Orthodox and eastern churches, the celebration of light starts in the Holy Sepulchre. People gather around Jesus' tomb, and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch, who is fasting at the time, begins his prayers from the early morning next to the tomb until 14:00 when the light appears and the bells ring. Tradition-ally, young men from Jerusalem compete to bring the light from the tomb to the roof of the Holy Sepulchre ( a 100 steps flight) where everyone is waiting to receive the light. The popular celebration begins from the rooftop to every street in the Christian quarter of the old city. A designated representative of the Christian community from each city or village takes back "the light" from the Holy Sepulchre to their city or village on Saturday afternoon where it is greeted with drums and music of the city's scout groups (both Muslim and Christian). People from as far away as Turkey and Greece are also present to send the light to their hometown.
As to the old city of Jerusalem, the streets remain filled with visitors until midnight mass in the Holy Sepulchre and the early hours of the morning, moving from one location to the other on the stations of the via Dolorosa.