The Bethlehem was founded in 1990, Melchor Almela Lagarda, - Masterful Belenista, member
of the Association Belenista of Valencia next to all its family, a group of
friends and with the essential collaboration of its father-in-law Paschal
Francisco Albiach, come making year after year a monumental Bethlehem - more
than 50 square meters -, that have become instead of visit forced for thousand
of families and groups during the dates of Christmas.
The work that Melchor and all its family make the year throughout (construction of new buildings, modeled of figures and equipment, assemblies in movement...) it is exposed of spectacular form in his own house, for which they qualify for more than three months all the ground floor of its house.
The Bethlehem
has an extension of more than 50 square meters and more than 5000 pieces, including figures and animals. It consists of two parts:
a) the Biblical part, beginning by the announcement and finishing with Jesus
between the doctors, and in whom they are been the different ones scenes of
the life of Jesus.
b) the popular part, denominated L'Holla de Nadal, is a cabin with kitchen,
talks back of the Valencian cabin and all its complements of century principles,
with its personages.
The Bethlehem has in addition, movements like the mill, the chain dump, I beat, the launderer, the weaver, sources, river with water, etc.
It emphasizes the great work of catechesis offered to the nilos, since with the contemplation of different Biblical scenes the main passages of the gospel are related.
The Bethlehem de Roca, in addition, collaborates with the -non governamental association- United Hands, MSF-Doctors Without Borders, the Vicente Ferrer Foundation (and another institutions) thanks to the funds raised through the sale of photographies, postcards and videos of the Bethlehem.
Next it can read a interview to Melchor Almela by the magazine of Valencian Belenista Association:
How is
born this liking by the Bethlehem?
From very small I was become fond of to the assembly of the Bethlehem in house,
maintaining a constant overcoming year after year, to the point to request
for Kings only little figures for the Bethlehem, instead of toys; with the
participation in aids who organized themselves still more in the town and
to the being awarded in several occasions, I animated myself very many to
follow with this great liking
Continues
being the participation in aids the main reason for the assembly of your belenes?
The certain thing is that the recognition compensates much that, by means
of the aids, becomes to the effort and the work made by all the family, but
after more than thirty years, only the satisfaction of the children and nostalgia
of the mayores who visits it, compensates all our effort. Although I must
recognize that the organization of aids of belenes, causes that many families
animate themselves to install them in its homes, maintaining this so popular
tradition lives.
What means
the Bethlehem for you?
For me it is an art assembly, culture..., but mainly sensitivity, tenderness,
love... During many years I have tried to look for the harmony of the landscape,
the perfection in the constructions and buildings, the care of the details
and atmospheres..., but for enough years our main interest it has been to
be able to transmit with the Bethlehem the Christian sense, to turn into catechesis
the contemplation of the birth. Also it allows us to collect bottoms, with
the sale of photographies of the Bethlehem, to help of a very special form
at United Hands.
How born
the idea to make a monumental Bethlehem?
In fact it did not arise like something spontaneous, but that when being increasing
year after year the accomplishment of different scenes we needed to extend
a little plus the Bethlehem, counting at the present time with a surface of
more than 50 square meters.
What sensation
him cause to people the visit to the Bethlehem?
He is peculiar as every year much people repeat the visit, coming in addition
accompanied by friends or relatives, enchants to them to recreate in the scenes
and to discover new details. To the grater people part of its childhood remembers
to them and the children enjoy contemplating the scenes, the thousands of
figures (shepherds, lambs, camels, horses, asses, doves, ducks, frogs and
until snails).
How you
arrived at our association?
By chance, since in the visits to the exhibitions, I knew one the belenistas
teachers, whom I showed my passion to him by the Bethlehem, inviting to me
to know the association and its activities.
What has
contributed the association to you?
Mainly the opportunity to share with much people this exciting liking, as
well as many ideas and knowledge.
What advice
you would give to whom was interested in the world of the Bethlehem?
That it did not doubt in putting itself in contact with the association, where
will find the place ideal to begin in the belenismo and power to document
itself on techniques, ideas... sharing this liking with much people.
