Evening star., 1923-11-25
PASSION PLAYERS
US. TRIP EXPLAINED
0berammergau Group Seek
Market Here for Re-
s markabIe Works.

In connection with the forthcom-
ing visit of the Oberammergau Pas
sion Players to America. the Ober-
ammergau reception. committee
composed of a large group of men
prominent in religious, social and
business circles. has issued state
nent of the reasons for and object
OF the visit.
"Plans for this visit" it is pointed
out, were made a year ago, when 1t
was found that conditions in Ger
many threatened the existence of the
little village of Oberammergau. and
that If the villagers were driven from
their homes by want the great Pas
sion Play would never be given again.
The Passion Play has been given.
with two Interruptions due to wars.
every ten years for $50 years and 1T
is the one great monument to Chris
Lanlty in the world today. Under
standing conditions. this committee
was formed and decided to save the
PaSSlon Play for future generations
This could be done in but one way,
and that was by keeping the village
or OberammerEau together.
The Passion Players. led by Anton
Lang, the 'Christus of the last three
fusing charitable contributions. More
han this. they refused an offer of much
more than 81. COO, 0t0 for a motion pic
ture OF the play, holding that such a
snlng would profane the drama they
regarded as the most sacred event of
their lives
Hnndfcrnft Excellent.
Members of this committee had
visited Oberammergau during the givin,,
or the play. and We're familiar with the
ives of the villagers. They knew that
Ihese simple people excclied in the arts
of pottery and wood carving and paint
ing; that these arts earned them their
livelihood during the years of prepara-
lion for the giving of the play. Previ-
ousy these arts supported Omeram
mergau. With conditions as at present.
the market for their products was wiped
out. 1t was this that led to the sug-
Gestion that Anton Lang. himself a pot
ter. should lead the artists and artisans
OF Oberammergau in an exhibition of
their precious wares in this country.
This committee realized that Americans,
with their keen appreciation of beau
Iiful handiwork. would not hesitate to
assist these Passion players in find
ing d market in the new world.
For this reason. and for this alone, the
craftsmen of Oberammergau will
visit America for the first time in their
history. They come men who refused
10 accept charity in their desperate
ceptional value of heart and hand for
the benefits they may receive.
They will arrive here early in De-
cember, and their exhibition will open
in the Grand Central Palace on the
18th of that month, lasting until Jan
uary l, 1924. Then they will visit a
number Of our greatest cities. including
Philadelphia, Baltimore. Washington,
Boston. Chicago. Cincinnati, St. Louis.
Kansas City, Milwaukee and possibly
Los Angeles and san Francisco.
During the year that the people Of
Dberammergau have been preparing
their exhibit this committee arranged
that the active workers receive wages
necessary 10 allow them to maintain
their families We trust We shall have
your cooperation in the effort to save
the Passion Play"
The statement is signed by George
Gordon Battle. national chairman:
Gov. Alfred L. Smith, New York
state chairman: Addison Van Tine,
treasurer; Gilmore Leffingwell, sec
retary: Ludwig Nissen. chairman ex-
ecutive committee, and scores of
other prominent men.