Settled along the Ammer River in Bavaria, Germany, lies a quaint town called Oberammergau. The city, nestled in the mountains, is surrounded by rich nature and history. Many don’t know that the town has carried out an age-old tradition–one full of storytelling, commitment, and art. Let’s go back about 400 years…
It was 1632, and the Bubonic Plague had infiltrated Bavaria. With the Thirty Years’ War in Central Europe, the small town of Oberammergau was afflicted with rising poverty and disease. One night after Christmas, a man came back to town with the plague. Within a year, around 80 people died. The community had witnessed many deaths and decided to find a solution. They turned to God. In 1634 they made a vow to God to perform a full re-enactment of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In return, their town would no longer be afflicted by the disease. It turns out that this vow worked, and from then on, no other villagers were infected, and those who were recovered.
The town has kept its promise, and since, the “Passion Play” has been held every 10 years for almost 390 years. Around 2,000 people participate in the play–they must either be:
- Born in Oberammergau.
- Married to a local for 10 years.
- Have lived there for 20 years.
Town members participate in either acting, the choir/orchestra, or backstage work. The performance takes a couple of years to prepare, and men follow strict rules of growing out their hair and beards to fully encapsulate their characters.
On the stage, there is a wide array of ages. The audience can see this active portrayal of generations of town history. Some people have even been a part of the production for most of their lives. The play is almost like a checkpoint for different aspects of a person’s life. Imagine starting on the stage as a child and ending with your children and grandchildren by your side. This gives a beautiful sense of history, and it shows a deep sense of connection between the town members and how it has brought them together.
Additionally, the cast features more diversity than before, with refugee children and Muslim actors. Within the current state of the world, director Christian StĂĽckl wanted to further develop Jesus’s character to represent social justice and the fervor that comes with it. He also wanted to further develop female roles and rid the play of antisemitic views that were implemented during the reign of Nazism. StĂĽckl is determined to represent the play both theologically and realistically–in a way where people can connect and get a better understanding of what it means to be human.
The town reflects constant grace and commitment to the play. It had been delayed three times previously, once in 1770 when the duke of Bavaria Maximillian III banned passion plays in 1920 and 1940 due to the Spanish Flu and WWII. Then in 2020, the play was canceled because of COVID-19. This caused some issues, and many people dropped out of the performance. However, they were able to recover, and others filled the roles. Currently, the play is scheduled for 2022 and will be seen by audiences worldwide.
The first showing was for “Youth Days.” A unique opportunity for teenagers and young adults to watch a final rehearsal of the play. This also included watching a panel with director Christian StĂĽckl and other performers. The first official performance was on May 14th, and the last will be on October 2nd. With a maximum capacity of 5,200 people, the venue will undoubtedly fill out.
The play begins with Jesus’s entrance into Jerusalem and ends with the Crucifixion and Resurrection. With cinematic music composed by Marcu Zwink, live animals on stage, and “living pictures,” the play is surely something you don’t want to miss. The townspeople are very welcoming and will make sure everyone has what they need to be prepared for the play: a blanket to keep warm, a playbook for non-German speakers, or a warm cup of hot cocoa from the “Theatre Cafe.” Oberammergau is a place that reflects the character of Christ through its community and generosity.
For more information, visit:
https://www.passionsspiele-oberammergau.de/en/home
Here’s to happy traveling!