The festival exhibit consists of more than 120 crѐches from around the world. Two of the myriads of intents of the exhibit are parallel themes. The first is the emphasis on crѐches with indigenous populations. This represents how genuinely and deeply the Nativity story has been accepted by people and their cultures the world over. They see themselves as part of the story. At the same time, how crѐches create bonds within and among diverse cultures. One of these bonds is the giving of crѐches. Many of the pieces in the exhibit have been gifts to the collectors. Another sign of coming together is seen within artisan workshops to creating crѐches. And as the tradition spreads around the world, increasingly people are linked – Christian and non-Christian, those with means and those without – by artisans making crѐches to earn a living. The art of the crѐche symbolizes the cultural diversity and richness of the world just as it symbolizes a common humanity among peoples.