Passion Play 2010 - Oberammergau (videos and audio)

June 11, 6:47 PMHolistic Travel ExaminerGina Alzate

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The Passion Play is a dramatic re-enactment of the Passion of Christ, which recounts the trial, suffering and death of Jesus Christ.  It plays a dominant role during Lent among many Christian denominations, primarily in the Catholic Church.  The most notable Passion Play in the world is held in Oberammergau, Germany.  What makes this event world-renowned is that it is only seen once every ten years since it first came to life in 1634.  In 2010, the 41st Passion Play will be re-enacted from May 15 to October 3.  

 Highlight on the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany

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The Passion Play in Oberammergau began as a promise to God by the villagers in 1632, that should God spare them from the bubonic plague that claimed the region of Bavaria, the Village of Oberammergau will perform the Passion Play of Christ once every ten years through eternity.  The village was not wiped out by the plague, and in 1634 the people of Oberammergau performed the first play.  They have passed this legacy on from generation to generation over 400 years.

Nowadays, the play is performed by over 2,000 people of Oberammergau who begin preparations for the play two years before the event.  People of Oberammergau serve as actors, directors, scriptwriters, stage set coordinators, prop technicians, musicians and all other supporting members of the production. The men auditioning for the play begin growing their hair to look the part.  Auditions occur 2-3 years before the event, and the most coveted role is that of Jesus Christ.  The play runs for 5 consecutive months from May to October at the end of each decade, and the performance runs for 6 - 7 hours.  A meal is served during intermission. 

Since 1870 package tours became the way people from around the world came to see the play.  The package tours included the play and 1 or 2 nights of accommodations in the area.  More sophisticated tour packages now also include several destination points, accommodating every possible desires for visitors to tour nearby cities and countries.  World Tours and Cruises partnered with Collette Vacations to offer 8 programs with Oberammergau Passion Play 2010 to include destinations such as:  Bavaria; France and Bavaria; Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria; Alpine Explorer with the Glacier Express; Alpine Countries; Imperial Cities of Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Innsbruck; Croatia; and Italy.

The Passion Play in 2000 sold out and it is projected that Passion Play 2010 will also sell out.  Book your package early to include both land and air transportation and accommodations, choose your destination stops to include must-see places in Europe, purchase travel insurance in case of emergency cancellations and medical coverage overseas, and secure your passport. Then, you can relax and wait for your departure date with ease knowing you are on your way to witnessing an experience of a lifetime, Passion Play 2010 - Oberammergau.

Related website:

Oberammergau Passion Play 2010 (virtual magazine)

By Gina Alzate, World Tours and Cruises

** Gina Alzate is also the National Interracial Relationship Examiner and the Philadelphia Romance Examiner.   Examiner.com delivers the next edition of this series right to your Inbox.  To subscribe, please visit here.