The Inventory Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in the Netherlands contains ICH of which the communities, groups or individuals involved have written a safeguarding plan. Those plans are reviewed by an independent review committee. Every three years an evaluation of the safeguarding takes place.

Description

Every five years the Pasion Plays are organised in Tegelen. A passion play tells about the events during the last days of the life of Jesus. Christians commemorate this in the Holy Week before Easter. It concerns, among other things, the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the Last Supper with the twelve apostles, the treason of Judas, and the crucifixion and death. The Passion Plays in Tegelen are performed in such a way, that they are up-to-date and attractive, for meaning seekers as well as for people who just want to enjoy a beautiful open-air spectacle. More than two years before the premier date the rehearsals begin and ever more elements are taken up. The Passion Plays take place in the open air theatre De Doolhof in Tegelen. The permanent decor consists of a central temple, flanked by the palaces of Herod and Pilate. Towards the stands numerous terraces, gates and paths unfold, giving way for the many level differences to create extra spaciousness.

 

Community

More than four hundred volunteers from Tegelen and the region participate in the Passion Plays. There is a professional team, consisting of, among others, script writer, director, composer, choir conductor and stage designer. Of course actors, extras, choir members and musicians are important for the Passion Plays. Besides, there are many people active as, for instance, set builders, theatre technicians, and visitor supporters and in catering, ticket sales and communication. The organisation of the Passion Plays lies in the hands of the Stichting Passiespelen Tegelen (Tegelen Passion Plays Foundation). This foundation is responsible for the organisation in all its facets.

 

History

The Passion Plays fit into the European tradition of representing the suffering of Jesus. The first passion play that was performed in the Open Air Theatre De Doolhof in Tegelen, took place in 1931. The piece had been written by Pastor Anton van Delft from Sint Anthonis. In 1940 the text by priest-poet Jacques Schreurs was used. Queen Wilhelmina and Princess Juliana visited one of the performances in 1946. In 1955, at the peak of the so-called ‘rich roman-catholic life’, the Passion Plays attracted 160,000 visitors. By the developments within the church the number of visitors decreased. The lowest point came in 1971, with 15,000 visitors. After that the number of visitors rose again. Queen Beatrix visited the Passion Plays in 1990 and 2010. As of 2000, the Passion Plays in Tegelen has considerably enhanced its quality at an artistic, administrative and organisational level. For the performances of 2005 as well as 2010 a text by Wiel Kusters was used. In 2010 46,000 people visited the Passion Plays during 23 performances. Patrick Lateur wrote a new text for 2015: ‘Spring in Galilee. A passion play.’

 

Contact

Stichting Passiespelen Tegelen
Postbus 3027
5930 AA
Tegelen
Limburg
Website