🇺🇸 When two nativity-scene enthusiasts cross paths without even knowing each other
This collection of nativity scenes belongs to Charles Najjar, author of the philosophical tale “The Butterfly Effect”, with international reach, translated into five languages.
Charles began his collection in 1995 when he discovered in Paris an exhibition of a monumental nativity scene by Angela Tripi, commissioned by Paul Chaland.
Thirty years later, he decided to exhibit his own collection in Assisi as a tribute to Saint Francis, known for being the inventor of the nativity scene!
Since he was missing some pieces to enrich his collection, he looked to acquire new nativity scenes and happened to come across an auction of the entire collection of Paul Chaland… including the nativity scene by Angela Tripi that he had first seen in Paris 30 years earlier, which had sparked his passion for nativity scenes!
Thus Charles acquired the collection of Paul Chaland and added it to his own in order to display them together in Assisi as a tribute to Saint Francis!
This collection is therefore the meeting of two nativity-scene enthusiasts who do not know each other but whom destiny has brought together!
Charles, Paul and Angela are like the Three Wise Men, from different origins coming together around the Nativity in Assisi, guided by the star of Saint Francis!
•Special thanks to Cédric Dumas, who preserved Paul Chaland’s collection before arranging its transfer to Charles Najjar.