Maria Furtado On Christmas Nativity Display
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Maria Furtado has been recreating a nativity scene at her home in Paget as part of a cherished tradition that began when she was a small child in the Azores.
Since moving to Bermuda more than 30 years ago, Ms Furtado has carefully arranged and displayed the nativity throughout the Christmas season each year.
The annual project is something the 70-year-old and her husband, Victor Furtado, look forward to preparing and sharing together.
“Building a nativity scene was something my family always did in the Azores when I was very little,” Ms Furtado told Bernews. “That’s when my passion started.”
Ms Furtado, who lives on Valley Road, said she and her husband devoted more than a month to creating the intricate 12ft by 6ft display, which depicts Bethlehem, the city identified as the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth.
“[The Nativity scene] started small, and it’s grown very big,” she said. “My husband did all the hard work this year, as I had some health issues.
“It’s got bigger – more scenes from the bible, more people. We buy the little people off Ebay, my husband makes the houses, and I make the palm trees, other trees, and vegetation.”
She said the display has become a focal point for how her family and friends celebrate the festive season.
“I love Christmas; it’s the best time of the year,” she added.
“My children [Steve Furtado and Michelle Hatherely] come to my house on Christmas Day – they love it.
“My friends tell me, ‘It’s a shame to take it down – leave it up all year!’ We leave it up until February 2.”
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