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History of the Oberammergau Passion Play
During the Thirty Years War in the 1600s, the Black Plague swept Europe, decimating one-third of its population. Oberammergau remained untouched until 1634 when a villager, returning from a journey, unknowingly brought the dreaded plague with him. Almost 100 villagers died and the survivors met in the church and vowed that if the village was spared from further deaths, they would put on a holy play (presentation of the life of Christ) every 10 years in which the entire community would participate. There were no more deaths, and the village has kept its pledge.
Throughout the years the widespread fame of the Passion Play and international interest have brought thousands of people from the four corners of the earth to see the performance. The complete sincerity of the Oberammergauers has never dimmed. Their vow is still the most important thing in their lives--even after nearly 400 years.
Every ten years this traditional performance presents the life of Jesus, from his entry into Jerusalem to the Resurrection. The play also includes enactments of Old Testament events that relate to the life of Christ in scenes called tableaux vivants. The play starts in the morning, ends in the evening, with a lunch break in between. The cast is made up of about 600 actors and a chorus and orchestra of 100. Only native born Oberammergauers or spouses who have lived there for 10 years or more are allowed to be in the performance. The Passion Play originally was a small performance, played out on a meadow by the villagers and local peasants.
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