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Oberammergau
Passion Play 2010 Oberammergau
This once in a decade event is to take place in 2010. I had the privilege to go to the 2000 play with my previous Church in Pangbourne.
The origins of the Passion Play go back to 1633, when a plague swept the village of Oberammergau. To prevent the plague spreading, the villagers formed a human chain round the village to stop people entering or leaving. This worked and so, in 1634 the villagers performed the Passion Play as a thanksgiving for deliverance from the plague.
As a result, the play is performed at the beginning of each decade and also a 50th or 100th anniversary. A 350th anniversary performance took place in 1984, but for obvious reasons there was no performance in 1940.
Only those born in the village or who have lived in the village for at least 20 years can take part. In 1930 one of the children of the village took part aged six. In 2000 aged 76 this same man played the part of Nichademus. What part will he play in 2010 aged 86 I wonder?
In 2000 we had an 8 day holiday before the Play in Austria at a village called Obermeiming which was about 40km west of Innsbruck. The hotel was one of the rare instances where the brochure understated it! We had several outings, one of which was a ride on Europe’s oldest rack and pinion railway at Jenbach, immediately followed by a boat trip on Lake Achensee. As it was our first day’s outing, in the space of 24 hours we had travelled by road, air, rail and water! We also had an Austrian folk evening complete with Tyrolean food, folk songs, lederhosen and women‘s traditional dress. Travel companies have a number of package options which can be selected ranging from just a visit to the Play up to a multi-country holiday.
We then went to Oberammergau for the Play staying at Garmisch-Partinkirkchen for two nights. Accommodation in and around Oberammergau is at various levels ranging to staying with villagers up to five star hotels.
The format in 2000 was for the Play to start at 9.30am for three hours followed by a meal break for three hours, then the final part. For 2010, I believe the play will start at 2.30pm till 5.30pm, then a three course meal break and finish later in the evening. The Resurrection really comes to life and a later finish should make this even more dramatic.
The Play itself is spoken in German, but you are provided with a book of the text with the German on one side and your own language on the other side. Believe me, it works! I also have a CD of the music of the 2000 Play. Been there, done that and yes, I’ve got the sweatshirt!
This is an experience not to be missed and I would be happy to talk to any one interested in coming to the Play. Places really are limited so you do need to book now.
Graham Sharpe
Read more by visiting: oberammergau-passion
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