The Diputación de Córdoba, in collaboration with the Cultural Association of Belenists, has announced the third provincial nativity scene competition for 2026, along with a training school and the assembly of a monumental nativity scene at the Church of La Merced.
Auxiliadora Moreno, the provincial delegate for Equality, Development Cooperation, Consumer Affairs, and Citizen Participation, detailed the agreement, stating, "With this initiative, we support all aspects related to nativity scenes, an artistic discipline that we are firmly committed to as a cultural heritage expression that energises our towns, fosters intergenerational coexistence, and attracts cultural tourism to the province."
The agreement for this year continues the established work from previous editions and is centred around two main areas: the training and creation of the monumental nativity scene at the Casa Palacio through the training school, and the celebration of the third edition of the provincial nativity scene competition.
Regarding the training school, Moreno explained that it focuses on educational aspects, with the association providing introductory and advanced workshops, as well as specific masterclasses. Thanks to this practical training, students become part of the design and assembly teams for the nativity scene displayed each Christmas at the Diputación.
This year, as a result of this collaboration, nativity scenes will also be set up in the province, including one in Dos Torres and three large dioramas in Aguilar de la Frontera, as stated by the provincial delegate.
Concerning the second area of collaboration, the delegate announced the opening of entries for the third provincial nativity scene competition, which aims to promote the cultural tradition of nativity scenes. "We want to reach the citizens of the province, encouraging this tradition and showcasing the nativity scenes created here," she added.
Details of the competition
Pedro Espínola, a member of the Córdoba Belenist Association, outlined the three categories of the competition: artistic nativity scenes constructed with complex techniques, traditional domestic nativity scenes, and dioramas, which must measure a maximum of one square metre.
All nativity scene creators, associations, and groups with nativity scenes located in the municipalities of Córdoba province are eligible to participate. To enter, participants must submit between one and seven photographs in JPG format via email to secretaria@asociacionbelenistacordoba.es. The deadline for submissions is from 6 to 15 December.
A jury will select between four and five entries from each category for in-person visits during the weekend of 19 and 20 December. Following these visits, the jury will announce the winners, who will receive cash prizes: €290 for first place, €250 for second, and €200 for third. Full competition rules can be found on the website www.asociacionbelenistadecordoba.es.
