Page 9 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! – September/October 2017

TRAVEL AGENCY
Oberammergau Passion Play
Plan Now to Attend This Once-A-Decade Tradition
By Craig Haberle, CTC
AAA
For more than 450 years, in Germany’s Bavarian village of Oberammergau, there has been a religious theatrical production based on the Bible’s account of the final days of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. In 1633, the citizens of this village vowed to depict, in perpetuity, the story of Christ’s journey to Jerusalem and crucifixion at Calvary if God would save their village from the Bubonic Plague that
was then devastating communities in their region of Europe. Spared from a high rate of fatalities, those faithful citizens honored their pledge, which has been respected by subsequent generations of their descendants in Oberammergau. This sacred tradition has been preserved by presenting the Passion of Christ in a dramatic play performed every 10 years, with only a few exceptions.
During the past four centuries, the Passion Play production has changed in style and scale, but the specific religious themes have remained the same. In more contemporary times, productions of the Passion Play have been performed from May through early October in those years ending in zero. By tradition, only citizens of the village
of Oberammergau are permitted to perform in these spectacular five-hour productions, which are staged in two major segments with a dinner meal break at intermission. The 16-part play presents, in sequence, prominent, familiar Bible scenes portraying this pivotal story of Christ. The dedicated, large cast of all ages are attired in Biblical costumes to portray Jesus Christ, prominent individuals, and the populace of that time. Spoken dramatic text, music and choral songs are performed in German, with a printed translation of the script-libretto provided in the language of each audience member’s choice.
The next Oberammergau Passion Play production will be in 2020, for which AAA Travel has already arranged to purchase tickets. In conjunction with attendance of the Passion Play, special guided group tours to destinations and attractions in
Photo: Passion Play Oberammergau 2010
various regions of Europe will be available from AAA Travel. Let’s take a preliminary look at some of these tour destinations, as well as consider a few European river cruises.
The alpine countries surrounding the Oberammergau’s area of Bavaria include Austria, Switzerland and, of course, Germany; a tour in
this region features Vienna, Salzburg, Zermatt, Lucerne and Munich. Another tour in the Alps highlights travel aboard famous scenic trains –
the Glacier Express train in Switzerland and the Bernina Express to Italy. An Imperial Cities tour focuses on Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Prague. A tour in nearby Italy includes sites of special importance to the Catholic faith, and features Rome and the Vatican City.
River cruises along the Danube can comfortably take you to visits of Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, plus enchanting villages and magnificent Melk Abbey. Rhine cruises visit historic towns and sites, plus enticing vineyards on both sides of the river in France and Germany.
Availability of space on all tours and river cruise packages that include tickets to Oberammergau’s Passion Play in 2020 will be limited and in high demand. Now is the time to contact a AAA Travel Agent to learn about and choose from AAA’s special selection of these once-a-decade tours, each with the Passion Play at its heart. Make your reservation now and be confirmed on your choice of AAA’s featured tour destinations and travel dates to experience Oberammergau 2020.
Photo: Passion Play Oberammergau 2010
Photo: Ammergauer Alpen GmbH, Oberammergau Tourism
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
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Now!