Evening star., 1932-09-18
ANTON LANG'S SON
HERE AS TEACHER
Passion Play Notable Joins
. Faculty of Georgetown
University.

career of teaching in America, Anton
Lang, jr., 27-year-old son of the peas
ant potter of Oberammergau, whose
fame is known throughout Christen-
dom for his remarkable portrayal of the
Christus in the Passion Play" has
come to make new home in Washing
ton where he has joined the faculty Of
Georgetown University.
This serious young man, who now
must accustom himself all over again
to the hurry and bustle' of American
life, arrived here a few days ago in
preparation for the opening of the Col
lege of Arts and Sciences, where he is
assigned as professor of advanced and
elementary German.
This is not Mr.. Lang's first visit to
Washington. He came here for short
stay some years ago when student at
Holy Cross College at Worcester. Mass,
where he obtained degree of bachelor
of arts in 1928
Mr.. Lang brought word on his arrival
that the villagers of Oberammergau are
planning even now for the next presen-
tation of the famous sacred drama,
which will be given in the Summer of
1884, the occasion being the triennial
anniversary of the first Passion Play"
This is an unusual departure, for the
Passion Play" is presented only at 10
year periods, the last having been in
1880.
Not to Be Commercialized.
Asked if the village of Oberammergau
would again turn down another 81 ,o0O,-
600 offer for motion pictures of the
sacred drama in 1884, as was done on
former occasion when economic con-
dltionS were just as depressing, he ap-
peared greatly amused.
Our people will never permit the
Passion Play to be commercialized in
the movies, no matter how much they
might need the money" he added
quickly
During the nearly four years since
his former departure from the United
States, Mr.. Lang has been living amid
the peace and quiet Of his Alpine vii
lage and pursuing postgraduate work.
He took doctor of philosophy course
at Goettingen University and more re-
Gently specialized in the French Ian
guage at Grenoble University. Like
his famous father, he speaks English
f1uently, with scarcely trace of ac-
cent
He was taught English by his mother
he said. but when he came to the
United States in 1925 ror the first time
ne had difficulty in making his wants
known. He mastered the language as
he has the French language by speak
Ing 1t constantly during his former
stay here.
Unlike his father, whose long hair
and flowing beard make him bear a
close resemblance to some of the older
Italian paintings Of Jesus, the young
lS fX-Y,ir ra1 of na ct,r
OF the younger generation. Through
his former residence here. Mr.. Lang is
used to American ways. but he is quite
frank in saying he will never be used
to American automobiles, which, he be-
lieves, regretfully, have taken all the
romance away" Back in Oberammer-
gau the whole town boasts only IL au-
tomobiles, which makes for peace and
quiet in the town life. With govern
ment tax of Sis on the smallest fliv-
yer. few of the villagers, he says, can
afford one.
Athletic Stress Deplored.
Grounded in European as we'll as
American university life, he deplores
the stress that is placed on athletics
In many American universities. The
foot ball outlook at Georgetown in
terests him only mildly, but he is in
tensely concerned with the attitude of
his prospective pupils and the classes
he is to begin to teach next Tuesday.
Mr.. Lang, however, enjoys sports for
relaxation and exercise. He knows his
Rugby as it is played in Germany and
his favorite pastinne sport IS skiing over
the great snowdrifts in his Bulvarian
Alps.
Mr.. Lang came to Washington direct
from nharo uhara nic Y1Qrentc
and two brothers and three sisters re-
side. Like all other members of the
Lang family-there are % In the vii
lage bearing the name and his relatives
number about 150-he has taken part
himself in the Passion Play. In the
1880 play he was a member of the or
chestra. His father. who has played
the Christus three times-more often
than any other man-spote the pro-
logues to the various scenes in the last
play. A sister, Ria, was understudy to
the girl who took the role of Mary,
while brother, Carl, who is now in
the pottery business with his father,
sang in the chorus.
Although Mr.. Lang hopes to make
permanent home in the United States,
he has not abandoned hope of return
ing to Oberammergau to take part in
future performances. The 1884 Passion
Play is expected to be given during
July and August, the usual plays hav-
ing begun formerly in May and lasted
during the Summer.
Huge Pilgrimage Expected.
The 300th anniversary of the Passion
Play in 1884 probably will be one of the
most notable in all its history, If plans
are carried out. More t;lan half mil
lion pilgrims of all faiths visit the
little Bavarian village oh these oc-
casions
Conditions in Germany today can be
]ikened somewhat to those that brought
the Passion Play into existence. Three
centuries ago there was a great war,
the Thirty Years War, and as in every
great war pestilence and distress fol-
lowed the fighting.
peasant carried the disease into
Oberammergau. The villagers made a
pledge to the Almighty that If the dis
ease was stopped they would give the
Passion of Christ in play every 10
years for 300 years. The pestilence dis
appeared.
Mr.. Lang does not know whether his
father can ever again visit America
Nearly 10 years have passed since the
elder Lang has been in this country, an
occasion when he came also to Wash
ington At that time delegation OF
the villagers exhibited here miniature
of Oberammergau in an effort to make
America acquainted with the wood carv-
ing and pottery trade of their towns