Arbeit Macht Frei

So sad to hear this morning that the "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign has been stolen from Auschwitz. This is a similar sign on the entrance gate to the Nazi concentration camp in Dachau, Germany just outside of Munich. Visiting Dachau was one of the most memorable experiences of my visit to see the Passion Play in Oberammergau in 2000.

In case you don't know, the sign translates to "Work will set you free."

Oberammergau Informational Meeting

The other day I had the great opportunity to participate in a webinar with Mike Adams from the official office of the Oberammergau Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany.

For those of you who don't know, the village of Oberammergau performs a Passion Play every 10 years as an act of thanks to God for sparing the village from the Plague.

In 1632, more than 20 percent of the village had perished due to the plague. One year later, the townspeople pledged to perform a passion play every 10 years if God would save their town. Not another person died, and the town has been performing the play for more than 375 years.

The next performance comes in 2010. More than 500,000 visitors are expected for the 102 performances between May and October.

I had the great fortune to attend the play in 2000, and I can't say enough about it. It's not just "a play," it's a very intense emotional and spiritual experience. Imagine up to 1,000 people and animals on the open-air stage at one time as Jesus drives the money lenders from the temple, or as he makes his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey.

The play begins in mid-afternoon and runs for 2 1/2 hours before a three-hour dinner break. After dinner, there's another 2 1/2 hours, culminating in the crucifixion.

If you have the opportunity to attend, you won't regret it.

I'm organizing an informational meeting for anyone who would like to learn more about Oberammergau or who is considering attending.

Please join me at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 at First Baptist Church of Indianapolis (8600 N. College Ave.).

Princess adds Oberammergau land tour

Princess cruises is combining a 10-day Scandinavia/Russia cruise with an eight-day land tour through Bavaria that includes tickets to the famous Passion Play in Oberammergau in August 2010.

Click here to read the article

Oberammergau - Passion Play

I was doing some research tonight in anticipation of the Passion Play in Oberammergau in 2010.

For those of you who don't know the story, the town of Oberammergau, Germany was being ravaged by the Plague in the 1630s. The townspeople cried out to God to save their town with the promise to perform a Passion Play about the life of Jesus Christ.

Not one more soul perished and the town has been putting on a Passion Play once every 10 years ever since. In 2010, it will be the 41st performance.

For the first time, the 2010 show will start in the middle of the afternoon. After a couple of hours, there will be a break for dinner. Then the show will conclude in the evening.

I had the opportunity to attend in 2000, and it was amazing. The play is put on by more than 2,000 local townspeople, who begin growing beards, constructing sets and rehearsing more than a year in advance. The outdoor theater - partially covered - offers tremendous accoustics. While the play is in German, translation books are readily available, and it's easy to follow along.

The town itself is nestled in Bavaria and offers many nice dining choices and lots of shops featuring the local woodcarving.

The premier is in mid-May 2010 with 102 performances before the conclusion in early October.

When I went in 2000, we took the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Munich, tour Neuschwanstein Castle and Dachau before heading further north. Many of the organized tours being planned for 2010 include trips through the Alps, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary and France.

Tickets will go fast - more than 500,000 people attended in 2000 - so let me know if you're interested in going, and we can start planning right away.