We went to this beautiful Bavarian village to attend the Passion Play. This event is put on every 10 years, but in 2020 it was put on hold for 2 years, and rescheduled. This play is put on because of a vow, and all having to do with being spared from the plague. The first performance was in 1634. Besides 2020, the only other 2 times the play didn’t happen was in 1920 because of the Spanish Flu, that was rescheduled for 1922, and 1940 because of WW2. They begin performing in May and it will end the beginning of October.

1 village, 1800 participants, 5 hours of theater and a 400 year tradition. The Passion Play takes place the last week of Jesus Christs life. The various acting parts are announced about a year out. The men have to sign a contract stating that they will grow their hair and their beards out, even the boys grow their hair. The players are people that were born in Oberammergau or have lived there for very 20 years. It use to be that only Catholics could be in the play, but that rule was changed years ago. This year they had the first Muslim to have a major speaking part, and that was of Judas. There were at one time 500 people on the stage and that also included animals; goats, horses a donkey and a camel.

The villagers are totally committed to this play, even making arrangements with their employers. It is performed in German, but I had a booklet in English to follow along. The acting was extraordinary, you felt like you were truly witnessing the life of Christ. I was mesmerized and in tears the last hour of the play. I can’t believe I actually got to see this performance. Easter week will never be the same for me ever again.