Trained as an architect, Kubašta often integrated traditional central-European buildings and  atmosphere into his pop-up crèches. This lively and colorful scene features children delivering gifts to the newborn Christ child including fish, music, toys, and baked goods. 

Bethlehem of Třebechovice 
Vojtěch Kubašta
1967
Czech Republic
Marian Library Art & Artifacts Collection
ML.20.014 

For Bethlehem of Třebechovice, Kubašta (1914-1992) was inspired by a visit to the 1967 Montreal Expo in which he saw an exquisite wooden nativity with 2,000 carved figures and over 300 moveable parts, originally carved with a knife and chisel by Josef Probošt and two assistants. Kubašta’s illustrations emulate the original wood nativity and show scenes from everyday life in 19th century Bohemia.