Germany Events and Festivals

5/01/2010 - 9/30/2010Oberammergau Passion Play

In the midst of the Thirty Years War and months of suffering and death from the plague, the villagers of Oberammergau swore they would perform a play re-creating the "Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ" every 10 years. The first performance of the now-famous "Passionsspiele" was staged in 1634, in the cemetery above the fresh graves of the plague victims. Since the 1890's the play has taken place in a huge, purpose-built theatre in the centre of town. More than 2,000 actors, singers, musicians and stage technicians from Oberammergau begin preparations long beforehand. Haircuts and shaving cease more than a year before the six hour long performances finally take place