There is not much going on in the old town of Dachau on this winter afternoon. Even the traffic seems sluggish. Only the tireless policewoman is eagerly out and about, meticulously checking the vehicles parked at the edge of the lane: if you look, you will find an offense. The few passers-by, who frantically grope their way across the smooth cobblestones in the slush, are also on the lookout. Only now and then do they direct their eyes to the nicely decorated shop windows. But suddenly they stop. Smile through the window. And then the time that has just been driven seems to stand still for them too. Ecstatic, touched and amazed, they dive into the quiet world of the cribs that the Ampertal crib friends have placed in shop windows on their “path” through Dachau. From tiny to huge and from alpine to oriental – and never cheesy.
The eyes of David Seifert, Thomas Babinsky and Josef Kugler shine. And although the three founders of the group, which has existed since 2015, have built countless cribs themselves and instructed around 140 participants in their courses (without children) to build them, they are always fascinated by the miniature worlds and scenes that they represent. “A bit of an ideal world,” says David Seifert with a smile. After four years of apprenticeship, the 46-year-old media designer is a freshly passed master in crib construction – the certificate is next to his masterpiece in the shop window. He only had 48 hours for the beautiful oriental nativity scene. It’s hard to believe when you see the many lovely little things and the finest designs.
In the Vom Fass store there is a nativity scene in a milk can.
(Photo: Niels P. Jørgensen)
Perspectives, liveliness. Authenticity and a bit of imagination: The administrative clerk Thomas Babinsky (38), who at the same time – albeit in a different school – received the master’s title this year, has also mastered this art. The 76-year-old former body plumber Josef Kugler, who is part of the tour on this wintry afternoon, is also full of ideas.
The crib path should become a tradition, that is the wish of the three. In some regions in Bavaria, especially in the foothills of the Alps, Tyrol and South Tyrol, it has been that for a long time. In 2020 the group exhibited 30 cribs for the first time in participating shops in the upper and lower city – this year there are already 50. The willingness to create space in the shop window so that the hard-working artists can present their works is growing. After all, this is the only way to make a number of passers-by aware of the shops and their displays.
And so until January 6th, next to liqueurs, coats and food supplements, among jewelry, pens and household goods, in front of candles, books, decorations and carpets, there will be the most beautiful and most beautiful nativity scenes, in vast desert landscapes or in lanterns, snow-covered alpine huts. The attention to detail is huge. Fantasy and material seem to know no limits. From the cut milk can to tree mushrooms and roots, paper and of course wood, everything is included. And also rare scenes, such as the escape from Egypt, for which David Seifert built a temple – with fascinating reflections inside. So it is worth taking a close look at every nativity scene. So it is hardly surprising that a tour can take just under three hours. It is best to start at the train station, advises David Seifert, who is even selling a few of his cribs this year. With sadness. “But space is running out at home,” he says with a sigh.
By the way, the television was already there. Already reported in 2020 TV Munich and the BR over the new crib path. This year he was seen twice on TV Munich. A good starting point for the group, which, in addition to spreading traditional crib building, has also set itself the goal of making Dachau a region of crib builders. In any case, the response speaks for it: The courses are always fully booked, the participants come from sometimes far away places. “We even received a request from Costa Rica recently,” says Thomas Babinsky with a smile.
The Ampertaler Krippenfreunde are not a registered association, but they are non-profit making. With the course fees you can only cover the rental and material costs (such as for ten kilos of glue and 5.5 kilos of hot glue alone), proceeds from donations and the otherwise usual exhibition with a raffle for a crib in the Ludwig-Thoma-Haus come to those in need benefit. Now they are also asking for donations for the “House of Life” in Dachau, with the keyword on the transfer form: “Krippenpfad Dachau”.
An oriental nativity scene can be found in the Auer household goods store.
(Photo: Niels P. Jørgensen)
The Ampertaler Nativity Trail can be seen in the shop windows of the participating shops until January 6, 2022. A flyer (available, for example, from the tourist office) provides information on the exact locations. In addition, QR codes are attached to the shop windows. More information at www.ampertaler-krippenfreunde.de.