Feeling lazy and not very creative. I decided to combine the Sunday Scribblings prompt of "Passion" and the Writer's Island of "Second Chance".
One of the most impressive events I have ever experienced is the Passion Play in the Bavarian town of Oberammergau in Southern Germany. It is a re-enactment of the trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ, performed every 10 years.
It began in 1634 during the Thirty Years War. The bubonic plague was devastating the town and legend has it that a promise was made to God, that if they were spared, they would honor Christ with the performance of the “Greatest Story Ever Told.” They were spared and have honored that promise ever since. The entire village participates in this event, with a cast and crew of over 2,000. They spend years preparing, working countless hours rehearsing and designing elaborate sets and costumes. There are families that have participated since the beginning, 40 productions and nearly 350 years ago. It has become a huge tourist attraction and an economic cash cow for the community. 
The Passion Play represents, for Christians, the second chance for mankind. This 6 hour production is an amazing spectacle and well worth seeing, for Christians and non-believers alike.
Though Passion Plays are performed all over the world, this is by far the most famous and most extravagant. The next memorable performance is in 2010. 
Friday, February 22, 2008
Writer's Island and Sunday Scribblings - 2/23/08
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39 comments:
Sounds really interesting but I don't think I could sit for 6 hours!!!!
I actually never watched the movie.
You're a man of many talents! Always a total pleasure to see what you've conjured up for us! Another unexpected treat!
Thanks for the information. I have heard of passion plays but never seen any images.
BTW, the song that came up when I read your post (You can't always get what you want) made for interesting background music!
I remember the last time I saw a Passion Play was just on TV. I was onloy a teenager at the time. It was an incredible, moving experience. How would love to see such a thing live!
Thanks for an almost forgotten memory!
Smiles and Light
I am going to watch Gibson's movie this year.....i havent wanted to until recently. But, I would prefer to take in a Passion Play like you did....to be surrounded by it.
I clicked on Pavarotti singing while I read your post.....it is one of my favourites...his rendition is breathtaking. When I hear music like that, I am bowled over with the sense that i have experienced watching/hearing/feeling a person share his most vulnerable part of his soul. WHAT courage!!
i always enjoy visiting your blog!
I've always wanted to see the Oberammergau Passion Play ever since learning about it in German class as a school girl!
I have not seen the Mel Gibson film. I think it is too graphic and violent for my tastes, while this Passion Play production is more colorful, musical, and theatrical. I thought the intro to the Stones song by the choir made for a chlling addition to this post. Pavarotti singing Nessun Dorma in my opinion, is the greatest voice the world has ever known singing one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Anyone unfamiliar, please click on it and listen all the way through, volume up. At its crescendo, I guarantee, the hair on the back of your neck will stand up and your eyes will tear. This post also works with the song Hurt from my playlist.
I have not seen the Mel Gibson film either. But, I love theater. That experience must have been incredible. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I sat through that Mel Gibson film. For two days, I could not get the scenes out my head. Too graphic.
However, this sounds wonderful. Theatre always is.
i have been witness to this spectacle only once,, and as stage productions go... it wasn't bad...i guess its message was somehow lost in the translation,, for a non believer after all...
very passionate writing tho.....
Well hope I can go by 2010!
I will if I can! It is one of my favorites. But I must admit your poetry is mostly my favotite.
Everybody gets a second chance. Usually a third, fourth, fifth, that's why Christ came. People were unable to meet such high standards over a lifetime.
Miss Rose
What a wonderful way to combine the prompts. I, too, was never able to see the Mel Gibson film; even little pieces of it seen on the trailers were enough to turn my stomach and seize my heart. When my students asked why I didn't see it, since I'm a Bible teacher after all, I asked them if they would have gone to see it if the man had been their father...really being killed that way. That's how I feel about it. A play, however, is a little easier to watch. We all need to know what happened, but it is more important that we know why it happened. I'm passionate about that.
I don't think we need graphic special visual and sound effects to realize that being crucified is a brutal and painful ordeal. With a live presentation, you can actually live it in the moment without that unnecessary violence and gore. It is an unforgettable experience.
The graphic violence connected to the movie is what has kept me away from it......and it still unsettles me, so I don't know if I will get through it.
you're right.......that Stones version is terrific and does go with the piece too.......as does Hurt. What a song that is.
I think we have very similar tastes in music.
I always knew that one day I will have to travel to this passion play, and having read your piece I am more determined than ever
I always love the way you do your posts.
There's a tradition of the mystery plays here in the UK. Strange to think that they used to be main media. When we think of newspapers and TV news, which now tell us how to think, you can't help thinking they've lost that all important panache.
This post was anything but lazy and uncreative! You have a way of constantly showing us another side of yourself. This was very interesting. You are so lucky to have experienced so many cities and so many amazing events. I've seen a brief passion play at our church during easter time, but I found it too emotional and don't think I would be able to view it again. thanks for taking us to Oberammergau!! ♥
This sounds so exciting! I have seen two amature church productions and they were both very moving, I can only imagine what this would be like! 2010 hmmm... I could start saving now.
Also, I enjoyed listening to your music. Have you heard Sunday Morning Coming Down by Kris Kristofferson, he wrote the song and I think his version has more soul.
great post! i love learning from others :)
I love Kris Kristofferson's songwriting but not a big fan of his singing other than "Why Me" and "Pilgrim". I wanted to put
Pilgrim on here but it was not available on the website.
I don't know about six hours, but I would love to attend a passion play. I wrote about that. Would like to go to Eureka Springs, AR.
I love this use of Passion - I tend to get stuck in other meanings of passion and this was a welcome reminder!
Great job!
Heather
I have heard of this play many times...and I think you chose an excellent topic for the prompt!! Thanks for this and the visuals -- they are wonderful.
This post was not uncreative or the writings of a lazy man. I found this to be very interesting.
Suprising!
How fascinating and also ironic that such a play should have become a source of wealth.
Good choice for the prompt!
I do believe that I know what my travel plans are for 2010.
I enjoyed those phootgraphs...and I really like the way they kept their promise given a second chance...
A very interesting side of you. I would love the musical part of it, have no desire to watch Gibsons violent version. Thanks for sharing!
Hugs Sherrie
Well written! I was in Oberammergau but it wasn't the right time - although I did get to see the costumes and staging devices. I'm glad you've written this -
Wow! Never realized you went to that. I've seen bits and pieces of the play here and there. Always makes me cry. Carly
Cool! I've never heard of it. But now I'm going to look it up.
I have a book about this! Beautiful photos. I really wish I could go.
Thank you for sharing this information!
Lazy?! I’m with Lucy. Good gracious! The history, the pictures, the painless education!
And your other posts... This is the first time I’ve been here since last week and I see I’ve missed out. You did so much with the time travel piece—it went a smattering of everywhere location- and emotions-wise. So much humor, info, and meaning packed into such a small space. And what a good idea “How was he to know?” was! Methinks me needs to subscribe to this feed.
I had not heard of this ... I think it's fascinating how ritual provides a sense of peace and connection to the past and hope for the future. Peace, JP/deb
What a very cool way to combine the prompts!
Passion plays aren't my thing, being non-Christian, but I think it's REALLY cool how the whole town participates. What a neat way to draw people together. I wish that happened more often.
nowhere did I say whether or not I was a Christian.
what an awesome event to behold...to imagine a whole town participates continually... thank you never knew that existed...
This was so informative...this is the first time I've heard of this production and now my curiousity is peaked. Thank you for sharing.
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