Cracow, with its rich history, culture, folklore and patriotic traditions, and a heritage of local customs not found anywhere else in Poland celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Cracovian Christmas Crib Competition in 2004.  
For decades the Competition has been much more than just a contest for the award for the best crib - it's also a festival for the city.  The Christmastide crib display around the Mickiewicz Monument in the Market Square has grown into a family holiday, in which all generations take part, showing their deep attachment to tradition, art, and religion.  Over a century ago in 1904 Lucjan Rydel wrote his nativity play "Betlejem Polskie", and staged a production in the sub-Cracovian villages of Tonie and Bronowice with local villagers as actors.  It was an expression of his profound respect for religion and rural Poland.  He left the third act open.  In the course of history new characters have been filling it in.  It's the same with Cracovian Christmas cribs.  They are still based on Cracow's art and architecture, but are being filled in with new celebrities.

This large Polish - English language album was published to commemorate that event.