Birmingham: Archbishop Longley commends Nativity Trail

Archbishop Longley with Bishop David Urquhart by crib

Birmingham City Council is promoting a unique Christmas art event in the heart of the city.

The Nativity Trail, at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery shows the traditional story of Christmas as depicted by artists over 500 years.The exhibition was warmly commended by the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, during the official launch yesterday.

This year, for the first time, a large Christmas Crib has been placed in a prominent place near the statue of Queen Victoria, opposite the main entrance to Birmingham Council House, in the midst of the thriving annual German Christmas Market.

Prior to the launch of the Nativity Trail, Rita McLean, Head of Museum Heritage Services and Victoria Osborne, Curator of Fine Art, showed the group of senior churchmen and city councillors round.

These included, Archbishop Longley; Bishop David Urquhart, the Anglican Bishop of Birmingham; Canon Gerry Breen, Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral & Basilica of St Chad; Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor, Len Gregory and Mrs Gill Gregory; Councillor Alan Rudge and Councillor Martin Mullaney.

The Very Reverend Catherine Ogle, Dean of Birmingham, together with a number of Catholic priests and Anglican clergy, were among the visitors in the crowded Round Room who enjoyed a selection of popular carols sung by children from two local Catholic schools - St Thomas More Primary School, Sheldon, and Christ the King Catholic Primary School.

The Nativity Trail this year includes the following masterpieces depicting the Christmas story: The Star of Bethlehem (1887-1891), by Edward Burne-Jones (Gallery 14); The Annunciation (1858), by Arthur Hughes (Gallery 18); The Adoration of the Shepherds (c1520-40), by Bonifazio de’Pitati, called Veronese (Gallery 26); The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, (1615-20), by Orazio Gentileschi. (Gallery 25).

The Nativity Trail is open to the public at Birmingham Museum & Art Galley until 6 January 2012. Admission is free.