In love with nativity scene..

Marco Lanzara, born in Stuttgart, grew up in his parent's native town of Capaccio, in the province of Salerno. Marco arrived in Pistoia, Tuscany in 2005, where he is known as the Nativity Artist. Most days you will find him working on his sets at 'Tabaccheria Palmerani', with his other half, Paola in Pistoia. While this is where he lives, Marco is a citizen of the world made of creativity and spirituality that comes together in his Nativity Scenes.

"This passion of mine started in 1984 when my family returned to Italy from Germany - he tells us with smiling eyes -.In Germany, during the Holiday Season, we would decorate a Christmas tree. When we returned to Campania, I watched a TV program on Rai 1, 'L'Almanacco del Giorno Dopo' about Nativity Scenes and I was hooked. I created my first set when I was 11 years old using an empty box of chocolates."

From passion to art..

"A few years ago, during the Holidays, I decorated one of our shop windows with a custom Nativity Scene. One of our costumers was so taken by it, that she insisted on buying it..and would not take no for an answer.

That is where I started, growing in a crescendo that led to my participating in the "Mostra dei 100 Presepi" in Rome, as well as the "Mostra del Presepe" in Città di Castello and "Natale nel Mondo" in San Giovanni Valdarno. Now I work on these sets every day and, with Paola's help, we create our scenes taking the greatest care down to the smallest detail.

Professionalism and experience..

"The base materials are cork and wood, but I have also used terracotta in the form of amphorae and even just shards as a base. Usually my clients don't have specific request as far as the medium and prefer to just let my creativity flow. There are some though, that like to bring their own figurines that may have sat unused for years in the attic.

The quality of my materials and the end product are paramount for me: I can't work on a commissioned set if they asked me to introduce even some elements that are of poor quality. Each and every detail is so important to the result”.

The Nativity Scenes are all one of a kind..

"Mine are just that and are impossible to replicate a set exactly when you use natural materials such as cork. You can find some photos of my creations on our site www.presepidimarco.com or on our Facebook page ' I Presepi di Marco'.  My dream  is  to  one  day be able to dedicate myself to Nativity Scenes

completely, but until then, the Palmerani shop is where I create and display my work. Here I am able to work on up to 2-3 sets at the time and see them rise, ever so slowly, like a beautiful sunrise."

Tradition and attention to detail..

A follower of tradition, Marco doesn't abide by current trends in Neapolitan nativity scenes.

"I don't like the trend of placing celebrities within my sets. I love to focus on the details: roof tiles with the perfect tint, streams, small windows, terraces, farm hand and workmen".

From a passion to reality: a dream for many that rarely becomes anything more than just that. Following the philosophy and wisdom of the great Eduardo, Marco, and Paola, are making their dream come true.