The world-famous Passion Play in Oberammergau, traditionally held every 10 years is due to be performed again throughout the summer of 2010.

It all began back in 1633 when Bavaria was being swept by plague when the elders of Oberammergau swore that if the village was purged of the plague that they would perform the “Play of the suffering, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ” every ten years. The epidemic came to a standstill in 1634 and they fulfilled their pledge for the first time on a stage they put up in the cemetery above the fresh graves of the plague victims. In the year 2000 the community of Oberammergau performed the Passion Play they had preserved throughout the centuries for the 40th time.

Pilgrims from all over the world are captivated by the Play which is not only a testimony of religious faith but also an outstanding cultural event.

Although the text and music has been fundamentally revised over the years the traditional concept has remained intact. New settings and costumes have been designed and a new production was created in countless rehearsals and now more than 2,000 Oberammergauers, actors, singers, instrumentalists and stage technicians bring to the stage those events Christianity regards as its central source of life and hope in approximately six hours of playing time.