Reports on the activities of US belenistas are beginning to filter back to this blog.
Benito Santiavañez forwarded information from José Herrero in Nebraska. José did his usual large belén, which seems to be getting bigger every year. This is his seventh year, and it takes him and his helpers about three months to set it up every year at the local parish church, Cristo Rey.
In an interview with the local station 1011, José tells us that this year it is 25’ long and 12’ deep. He has several cities (Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem) in it this year and has added a different temple, which you can see above. I also noticed several moving figures in this year’s belén.
As usual, his light effects are beautiful. You can get the best view of them on his YouTube video, and you can also read a little background on José Herrero in a nice interview published in the local paper, the Lincoln Journal Star. Below is his Misterio, using figures by José Luis Mayo of Madrid.
In a few days, I’ll publish some great photos that Benito sent me of his own belén at the parish church of San Martín, and some photos from local residents of the Sunnyvale area who have just begun to put up a belén or have expanded their belén and made it something very impressive indeed. I was impressed, at least! Stay tuned.