In Naples, the making of figurines for creche scenes is centuries-old local craft. Twelve months a year, both sides of Via di San Gregorio Armeno in Naples are crowded with workshops displaying newborn Baby Jesuses, prayerful Virgin Marys, swooping cherubs, gift-bearing kings, and humble shepherds. But that’s not all. Because Italians like to include slices of daily life in their presepi or nativity scenes, there’s also a charming assortment of butchers, bakers, and pizza makers available to liven up your stable when there’s just no room in the inn.
Not surprisingly, each year some of these creche-crafters bow to temptation and spend their time making figurines of contemporary notables. Giuseppe Ferigno created a 40 centimeter figure of Luciano Pavarotti after his death last fall, while figurines of other superstars like soccer great Francesco Totti can be found up and down the street.
Now, however, for the first time since the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal, American politics are getting serious play in the world of Neapolitan creche figures. We’re happy to report that on a recent trip to Naples we found that figurines of Barak Obama, John McCain, and Hillary Clinton are available to populate your manger scene (see above).
So, go ahead. You’re just sitting around waiting for the Pennsylvania primary, right? Jump a train or plane to Napoli and score a few of these fabulous figurines. You’ll be glad you did when Christmas rolls around – they’ll look great next to the wise men!
