Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-02-09


1871, Ammergau became the goal to-
wards which great body of tourists
directed their steps. The journey both
then and in 1880 was for many, a true
Sassion pilgrimage. The village OF
| Ober-Ammergau was in those days
even further removed IRON the noise
of the great world than at present, and
a long days journey. attended with
no little exertion, had to be made from
Munich before 1t was recahed.
/ Since 1899 the railway has been con-
linued up the romantic opening valley
of the Loisach to Partenkirchen. at
the base OF the Zugspitz. the highest
peak OF Bavaria. Oberau, a station
half way up the valley. is the alight-
ing point for visitors to Ober-Ammer-
gau. and from here a new road has
been constructed by the Bavarian gov
eminent. and now gains in long easy
grades the 600 feet ascent which was
formerly such an obstacle. The dis
lance by this road to Ober-Ammergan
from the railway station at Oberau, Is
about six miles
outI-hHiIHtIbdu uds Nlf itpuldliDl
of being one OF the cleanest villages
In the Bavarian highlands. The spark
ling Ammer, rushing along the streets.
the deep shadows OF the lofty Kofel,
and those OF the high ranges all around.
lrender II one of the most picturesque
OF places. The peak OF the Kofel, with
its cross. is the presiding genius OF the
l..Ia n Ia. a..
rays down into the valley, the high
.Ioss is radiant with golden light. ana
when the orb Of dry sinks to rest, 1t
reflects the last faint glow OF its van.
ishing light. a proposal was once
made to the people of Ammergau to
take their Passion PLAY to England OF
to America. Willingly we will do So"
was the reply, but we must take with
us the whole village and its guardiap
spirit, the Kofel."
Many influences have been at work
to produce the marvellous peasant play.
lers of Ammergau. The first of these Il,
the ceremonial life of the church, and
in close connection with this, the skill
lof the villagers IN Woodworking. All
the more intelligent and better edu.
cated members OF the community are
wood-carvcrs aud the subjects which
they execute by preference are of thu
religious kind Crucifxes, madonnas
images OF saints, and church orna.
ments.
Says John p, Jackson's guide to ths
Passion Play; THE influence exer.
cised by wood-carving upon the vii.
layers is seen in the Improvement OF
taste, and in the preparation OF the
people for the pant Of the figures thew
act upon the stage. They have grad
Nally acquired feeling for correct
ness of form and fitness of pose What
they cut out in wood, they represent on
the stage. Many Of the workmen de-
serve the name of artists. The past
generation had not the advantage OF
an artistic training Some of the old
men belonging TO this period who still
survive, were unable to draw on paper
with much delicacy in wood, and the
characteristic style of productions Is
more traditional than learned.
| Happily the Bavarian government
has endeavored to aid the villagers in
their aspirations, and to facilitate their
progress in these artistic pursuits. The
School of Design and Carving which Is
established in the neighboring town
of Partenkirchen, receives an annual
subvention from the state. The Am
mergau School of Design, Situated in
the village itself Is well attended. The
best players of the village are, almost
without exception, wood-carvers, and
this in the higher branches. The three
men who have represented "Christus"
since the beginning of 1s50-Flunger,
Schauer and Mayr, were all distin.
guished in their profession, The peas
ants, or agricultural laborers, are not
lifted for the higher characters. They
help I'LL out the subordinate positions,
and form capital material for Roman
soldiers or for the populace, and rem
der good assistance III the mechanical
labors OF the stage. Hence, we see how
erroneous II would be TO suppose that
mere peasants could perform the Pas
zion Play with anything like the fidel-
fly and art of the. people of ober-Am'
mergau.
The Village Church.
"The great training school for the
Passion Play has been all along the
village church, with its purely Catholic
ceremonies, Its professions, It's music
and song. The principal festivals, such
as the Resurrection and the Ascension,
nre represented in part, dramatically,
In the Ammergau Church. The scenes
differ in nothing from the correspond
| Ing ones in the Passion Play, except
that the figures are not endowed with
life. In hundred ways, the village
church Is preparatory school for tho
Ammergau drama. The great process
slons and the harmonious working to-
gether of the masses of people on the
Ammergau stage have excited the adj
( miration even OF skilled dramatsts.
Especially does the opening scene OF
the play, representing Christs triumph
al entry into IprusaIem whom almost