The Oberammergau Passion Play
One of my bucket list items is to see the traditional village Passion play in Oberammergau, a town in Bavaria, Germany. This play, which is held every ten years and which was first performed in 1634, depicts the life and death of Christ.
It is interesing to learn that this custom had its origins in an epidemic like the one we are experiencing now. In 1633, the townsfolk made a vow to God that if He spared them from the bubonic plague, they would stage the play every 10 years. After they made the vow, the death rate decreased. Since the following year, the villagers have been keeping their vow.
Today the play is performed on years ending in zero. The play lasts for around five hours and is performed for five months.
The play is a community project. The whole town gets involved in producing it, either as actors, musicians, or stage technicians. The actors do not wear fake beards; rather, they grow their beards in time for the performance.
Who would have thought that a plague can be the origin a long-standing custom that is a popular tourist attraction now? That is the power of the human spirit. It is meant to rise above adversity and leave an indelible mark.
The play is scheduled to be performed this year, but because of Covid-19, its actual staging is still uncertain. Nevertheless, for as long as the human spirit seeks to express its longing for something above itself, culture will continue to flourish and beauty will continue being created for years to come up to the end of time.
It is interesing to learn that this custom had its origins in an epidemic like the one we are experiencing now. In 1633, the townsfolk made a vow to God that if He spared them from the bubonic plague, they would stage the play every 10 years. After they made the vow, the death rate decreased. Since the following year, the villagers have been keeping their vow.
Today the play is performed on years ending in zero. The play lasts for around five hours and is performed for five months.
The play is a community project. The whole town gets involved in producing it, either as actors, musicians, or stage technicians. The actors do not wear fake beards; rather, they grow their beards in time for the performance.
Who would have thought that a plague can be the origin a long-standing custom that is a popular tourist attraction now? That is the power of the human spirit. It is meant to rise above adversity and leave an indelible mark.
The play is scheduled to be performed this year, but because of Covid-19, its actual staging is still uncertain. Nevertheless, for as long as the human spirit seeks to express its longing for something above itself, culture will continue to flourish and beauty will continue being created for years to come up to the end of time.
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