Sunday, May 11, 2008
A once in a lifetime event
Oberammergau is a town in Germany’s Bavarian area with a name that has become synonymous with the “Passion Play” performed there every 10 years.
Performances are daily from May through September and the next event will be in 2010. Most tickets are sold through tour operators, and tours that include the “Passion Play” are forming now. It is not too early to make reservations for groups or individuals to attend this spectacular, extraordinary and rarely seen extravaganza.
Just what is this “Passion Play?” It depicts the last five days in the life of Jesus Christ, from his early entry into Jerusalem until his Resurrection. Many publications call it “a play of suffering, death, and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.” It has been performed since 1634, in Oberammergau, by its inhabitants of all ages (from 5 to 90 years). Originally, in the 1630s, during the time of the bubonic plague (Black Death), the town’s citizens vowed that if God were to spare them they would perform a play every 10 years depicting the life and death of Jesus. The villagers believed that they were rescued from the plague after they kept their promise when the play was first performed, at Pentecost, in 1634. The first play was enacted on a stage at the cemetery, over the graves of the Black Death victims.
From that rudimentary drama, almost 400 years ago, has evolved a five-hour (with a long intermission for dinner) theatrical work complete with dramatic text, and musical and choral accompaniment. Audiences come from around the world to witness this unique spectacle.
This remarkable event, in the year 2000, was presented for its 40th time with more than 2,000 citizens of Oberammergau participating. The preparation takes more than two years, and performances are held in a 5,200-seat venue in this small, southern Germany community.
Very often, tours including the “Passion Play” appeal to family and religious groups. Tours can be customized to a group’s particular interests and specifications, or groups and individuals may join a pre-planned and guided tour. These tours usually range from seven days to two weeks in length, with only 2 or 3 days being spent in Oberammergau. The remaining days would include visits to other parts of Germany or Europe. Also offered are Danube River cruises incorporated into a tour including the “Passion Play.”
The options are numerous, only limited to your imagination. Your travel professional will be glad to map out the tour that is best for you or your group. Please don’t wait, as the tickets are limited to the number of performances already scheduled for 2010. Remember that if you miss the “Passion Play” in 2010 you will not have another opportunity to behold this singular event until 2020.
Performances are daily from May through September and the next event will be in 2010. Most tickets are sold through tour operators, and tours that include the “Passion Play” are forming now. It is not too early to make reservations for groups or individuals to attend this spectacular, extraordinary and rarely seen extravaganza.
Just what is this “Passion Play?” It depicts the last five days in the life of Jesus Christ, from his early entry into Jerusalem until his Resurrection. Many publications call it “a play of suffering, death, and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.” It has been performed since 1634, in Oberammergau, by its inhabitants of all ages (from 5 to 90 years). Originally, in the 1630s, during the time of the bubonic plague (Black Death), the town’s citizens vowed that if God were to spare them they would perform a play every 10 years depicting the life and death of Jesus. The villagers believed that they were rescued from the plague after they kept their promise when the play was first performed, at Pentecost, in 1634. The first play was enacted on a stage at the cemetery, over the graves of the Black Death victims.
From that rudimentary drama, almost 400 years ago, has evolved a five-hour (with a long intermission for dinner) theatrical work complete with dramatic text, and musical and choral accompaniment. Audiences come from around the world to witness this unique spectacle.
This remarkable event, in the year 2000, was presented for its 40th time with more than 2,000 citizens of Oberammergau participating. The preparation takes more than two years, and performances are held in a 5,200-seat venue in this small, southern Germany community.
Very often, tours including the “Passion Play” appeal to family and religious groups. Tours can be customized to a group’s particular interests and specifications, or groups and individuals may join a pre-planned and guided tour. These tours usually range from seven days to two weeks in length, with only 2 or 3 days being spent in Oberammergau. The remaining days would include visits to other parts of Germany or Europe. Also offered are Danube River cruises incorporated into a tour including the “Passion Play.”
The options are numerous, only limited to your imagination. Your travel professional will be glad to map out the tour that is best for you or your group. Please don’t wait, as the tickets are limited to the number of performances already scheduled for 2010. Remember that if you miss the “Passion Play” in 2010 you will not have another opportunity to behold this singular event until 2020.
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