The szopka tradition originated in Kraków, Poland in the 19th century, when craftsmen began making nativity scenes depicting historical buildings from Kraków to earn extra income during Christmas. Szopkas developed from traditional nativity scenes and later Jasełka plays, and sometimes included movable puppets or figurines illustrating Polish culture. An annual szopka competition has been held in Kraków's Main Market Square since 1937, except during World War II, and the best entries are displayed in the Historical Museum of Kraków.

1. KrakowCribs

2. Kraków szopka (pron.: shop-ka), ornativityscene (crib, crèche) (Polish: Szopka krakowska) is a Christmastraditionoriginating from Kraków, Poland, and dating back to the 19th century. Unliketraditional Western nativityscene. Kraków szopka portrayshistorical buildings from Kraków. Nativity scenes, common in Christiancultures, originated with St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century and spread to Poland quickly afterwards. During the Middle Ages a specific type of nativity scene based play, a Jasełka, developed in Poland. Some performers displayed their szopkas together with puppets in a form of a street theatre. In some, movable puppets were replaced by immobile wooden figurines. At times subject-specific puppets or figurines were and are being added to illustrate elements of Polish culture, ranging from historical figures like winged hussars and TadeuszKościuszko, through legendary Pan Twardowski and Dragon of the Wawel Hill, to contemporary politicians or artists. In the 18th century the spread of such non-religious content led to a ban on more extravagant nativity scenes in some Polish churches; following the ban the performances evolved into a true expression of folk art.

3. The szopka tradition dates back to the 19th century, when Kraków's craftsmen – masons, woodworkers – begun to make them as a seasonal decoration in order to earn extra income during Christmas. The custom grew in popularity, with people willing to pay to watch szopka collections – often carried by door-to-door carolers – or to own them. Among the notable early patrons of the custom was the magnate family of Potoccy. After Poland regained independence in 1918, szopkas started to be made and sold as souvenirs of Kraków. The city's municipal authorities decided to support this tradition by announcing the first competition in December 1937. Since then, with the exception of the Second World War years, a szopka presentation and tournament takes place on first Thursday of each December, at the Main Market Square, Kraków, next to the Adam Mickiewicz Monument. The best szopkas are displayed in the Historical Museum of Kraków in Krzysztofory palace.

24. the end Music - Krakowiak from ballet Ludomir Różycki „Pan Twardowski” Photos from web pages has chosen - Anna