The Coolidge examiner., 1938-07-07


A CHANGE which empha-
~ sizes unchanging tra-
dition has taken place
in Oberammergau, Germany,
the small Bavarian town
where every decade a per-
formance of the Passion Play
attracts thousands of visitors.
The change came through
the death of Anton Lang,
for thirty years the former
ChriStus of the Passion Play.
Death, however, changes the
players but does not stop the
presentation of the Passion
Play, which for centuries has
been performed to fulfill a
VOW of the villagers in the
Seventeenth century.
Until about $50 years ago the sight
of the towering mountains filled the
people of Oberammergau with awe;
in fact. fear; and they were looked
upon more as drawbacks than as
objects of beauty and inspiration.
The custom OF offsetting the de-
pressing effect of the looming rocky
background by vivid color still pre-
walls, and besides old but ever fresh
fresco paintings depicting scenes
from the Bible on the walls of the
houses, new ones are beginning to
decorate several homes. These show
a more modern trend, and general
ly are done by young Bavarian ar
fists. They lend vivid color to a
street scene already bright with
houses painted yellow, pink, green,
and blue.
Hardly a house lacks balcony
and this, like all the windowsills, is
lined with profusion of flowers.
Green shutters and painted frames
around the windows put special
stress on the "eyes" of most homes.
Usually near the door, in large
letters, is exhibited the name and
occupation of the owner, who might
we'll appear to be the proprietor of
the entire valley as he complacently
walks through the streets and fields,
hills and mountains. Born here. he
feels himself part ofaall this.
In the Home and Fields.
The inside of his birthplace
breathes the same spirit. The cen
ter is not the kitchen whence the
healthful. frugal meals come, but
the living room with a carved
wooden crucifix solemnly hanging
in one corner. There is the cradle
of family life. There the men and
women and children assemble when
they come home from field or shop.
The fields yield just enough grass
for the cattle and potatoes for the
people, though most of the villagers
have their own little gardens.
Farmhouse and stable are usual
ly in one building. This saves the
peasant many a step in bad weather
and keeps him always near his be-
loved cows, which in turn help sup
ply warmth in the long, cold winter.
The arrival Of the White King is
hailed by everybody, for the thick
blanket he always spreads over the
mountains and the valley does not
mean being buried for four or five
months.
Oberammergau lies in about the
same latitude as Montreal, and
masses Of snow cover the noun
tains, at times to a depth Of 80
feet. Many visitors come to try
their luck on skis, and skiing be-
comes an easy accomplishment for
the local youngsters.
st. Peter Distributes Milk.
Singing and whistling, Hubert
Mayr, the St. Peter Of the Passion
Play, drives his little pony cart
through the town every DAY, QlS-
tributing milk among the people.
How happy and pleased he is that
at last his lifes dream has come
true and he has become "St,
Peter!
The meek manners Of Hugo Rutz,
the village blacksmith, would never
lead one to guess that on the stage
he was the fiery high priest, Gaia.
phas, melting the mob against
Jesus.
Anton Lechner, teacher of draw.
ing at the local woodcarving school,
is Just as much of a surprise.
Ludwig Lang, fierce looking
Barabbas on the stage, is peaceful
cowherd who may be seen walking
along the street at 6 o clock almost
! any morning, driving a herd oi