The eye-catcher of the nativity scene in Den Bosch this year is a 13-meter-high miniature of St. John. Such an impressive entrance is special in itself, but what is extra special is that it is part of a carnival float. For the first time, parts of such a wagon are incorporated into the nativity scene, making the link with Oeteldonk visible. And that is no coincidence.
“We build a completely new nativity scene every year, but we have never reused parts of a carnival float,” says Jack Kradolfer, who has been helping with the design and construction of the Den Bosch nativity scene for years.
The volunteers have been working in the church for weeks sawing, painting and carrying. “The Christmas story never changes, of course, but to keep it fun for visitors, we show something different every year,” says Jack. “That makes it a challenge for us to come up with something new.”
Plebaan Vincent Blom soon came up with a special idea. “Before carnival floats participate in the parade, the plebaan is asked to bless them,” explains Ad van der Krabben (78). He is a member of De Krabkes and participated in the parade for the 33rd time this year. “When he saw our car, he said: this has to be in the nativity scene. If the plebaan says that, it is of course a great honor.”
“I want visitors to be amazed immediately.”
Normally such a car is quickly dismantled after carnival, but this year things were different. “Every year I find it difficult to break down a car that you have worked on for months,” says Ad, who puts on his farmer’s smock for the occasion. “Careful demolition is sometimes even more difficult than demolition.”
As a resident of Den Bosch, like more than 80,000 others, Ad visits the nativity scene every year. “The fact that our work can now be seen in Sint-Jan is something you only experience once. I think that is special.”
The eye-catcher comes from De Krabkes’ carnival float: a 13-meter-high St. John’s Tower. “I’m from Den Bosch, so I dare to say that we have the most beautiful church in Western Europe,” laughs Jack. “That’s why I wanted to use the tower of De Krabkes as an entrance. I want to surprise visitors as soon as they enter.”
The theme of the stable is determined annually by the plebaan. Four volunteers, including Jack, translate that into the design. “People who help build always say that it could be a little smaller. That didn’t work out again this year,” Jack chuckles.
“Carnival fits very well with the theme of the nativity scene.”
Four red-white-yellow Oeteldonk flags fly from the tower. That’s no coincidence. “Oeteldonk has existed for 143 years this year, or 11×11+11+11. Carnival fits perfectly with the theme of the nativity scene,” says Ad. The theme, chosen by the plebaan, this time is ‘Joy in Abundance’.
The reference to Oeteldonk is clear in the Bossche Diezebrug, which featured in the parade earlier this year. The year 1882 is written on the bridge, the year the Oeteldonksche Club was founded. “People enjoy it when such jokes are incorporated into the Biblical story,” says Jack.
Under the bridge are Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. Will one of them soon receive an Oeteldonk scarf? “That’s going a bit far. We shouldn’t do that. Maybe soon a red, white and yellow scarf will hang around another Christmas figure.”
The nativity scene in St. John’s Cathedral will be officially opened on December 7.