1922 Europe Journal, Part 17: Germany and the Passion Play in Oberammergau

Saturday, July 22, 1922

“It was a quarter of 5:00 when we got up this morning. Dressed, ate breakfast in our room and got to the station in time for the train at 6:00. Dr. and Mrs. Blaine were there waiting for us. Reached Munich about 10:45. After transferring and checking our baggage, we got lunch and went back to the station. There was an awful crowd there and all trains to Oberammergau were packed. W. got on the train to hold seats and the rest of us were tending to the baggage. We finally got a quarter and got on the train but could find nothing of W.  The train started and away we went without her.  

Reached Oberammergau [Bavaria, southern Germany] about 4:30. L. and R. went to their room and I waited at the station for the next train. It came in about half an hour and W. was on it. Had very pleasant rooms at the Führer home. The son plays the part of Thomas in the play. That evening, we walked about, got cards, etc. The village is in a class by itself. One feels as if he has been put down in a different world all together. It was a surprise to see the men and boys with long hair working at the station and about the streets.”

[Oberammergau is a city in the very southern part of Germany. It is famous for the Passion Play - first performed in 1634 as a result of a vow made by the village. The people of Oberammergau pledged that if God spared them from the bubonic plague, they would perform a passion play every ten years. The play is performed now in years ending with a zero. Additionally, it was performed in 1934 on the 300th anniversary, and 1984, the 350th anniversary. It involves over 2000 residents of the village that act, sing, play musical instruments, and are technicians. As we know, the 1920 performance was moved to 1922, due to WWI. Also, the 1940 performance was cancelled due to WWII, starting again in 1950. Throughout time, several updates and additions have been made to the theater and areas where the play is performed. The current theater holds 4,700. The play runs about 7 hours with a meal break. Most visitors stay one or two nights to see the play.  102 performances were given in 2000, between May 15 and October 3.]

Oberammergau Natives

Sunday, July 23, 1922 - Oberammergau

“We had to be ready for breakfast at 7:00 this morning, as the play started at 8:00. Got to the theater in good season, had splendid seats, about 15 rows from the front. The theater seats about 4,500 and about 2,000 more can be crowded into the standing room. It was packed today. The play lasts for eight hours: from 8:00-12:00 in the morning and from 2:00-6:00 in the p.m. About 700 people take part in it.  In the evening we took a walk and were ready for bed by 9:15."