Škofja Loka Passion play – 2009
Škofja Loka, from 28 March to 19 April 2009
Škofja Loka Passion play 2009 - PROCESSIO LOCOPOLITANA
1721–1999
Škofja Loka is a medieval town with many treasures. Among them is also a dramatic text in Slovene language with the baroque drama elements written in 1721. The manuscript is now in the library of the Capuchin monastery in Škofja Loka.This is the oldest preserved passion play director's book not only in Slovenia but also in Europe what is a unique and very important treasure. The play was written by a Capuchin Romuald Marušič who lived in Škofja Loka Monastery. He wrote it in 1721. The play was performed the same year along the streets in the old part of the town of Škofja Loka. Later on the play was performed only twice; in 1727 and in 1728. After that it took almost 300 years to renew the play in its original form. This happened in the years 1999 and 2000. The year 2000 was very important because the Christians celebrated the second millennium of christianism.
If we look back in our history we can see that the play was written during the time when Slovenia was affected by a disastrous plague which killed a lot of people. Those who survived became very scared. They tried everything to stop this terrifying desease. They organized processions during Easter time when they performed the suffering of Jesus-Christ. These processions were proposed by the bishof Tomaž Hren from Ljubljana who asked the Jesuits to organize them. The processions took place in the streets of Ljubljana. Behind them walked people who carried crosses or who flogged themselves.
Many times the chief officer of a district of Škofja Loka Mr. Anton the noble Ecker suggested to organize a procession in the honour of the suffering of Jesus-Christ. In 1720 the Capuchin Romuald Marušič was elected in order to prepare everything that was necessary for the procession. At first he found volonteers from the city and farmers from the villages around and both valleys. Then he wrote the text and the play was performed in 1721.
After the Baroque period the Passion Play vanished for almost three centuries. It was renewed only in 1999 and 2000. It was a great success because about 53000 visitors came to see it. To run parallel with the Passion Play some visitors were offered special food and drink typical for the Baroque, others visited the monuments of Škofja Loka as well as those in the surroundings.
There was an interruption of eight years after the year 2000. Then the authorities in Škofja Loka community decided to renew the Passion Play because they wanted it to become traditional. It will be possible to see it again this spring. It is worth to be seen because it has preserved all Medieval and Baroque elements that make Škofja Loka Passion Play unique and a very important european play.
Don't miss the opportunity to come and see the play because Passion Play is going to be performed only every six years. The next performance will take place in the year 2015.
The number of participants this year is very big. There will be 800 actors, actresses a, walk-on volunteers and 80 horsemen on horses. Between March 28th and April 19th 2009 - during the Lent and Easter time – the Passion Play will be repeated eight times and presented in twenty scenes in four beautiful settings of the old town of Škofja Loka. All the scenes will take place in the city of the old town of Škofja Loka. The scenes will show the biblical history of man from the Fall of Adam and Eve to the crucifixion and death of Jesus-Christ.
The Škofja Loka Pssion Play will take place in spring 2009:
Passion Saturday, March 28th 2009 at 8.00 p.m.
Passion Sunday, March 29th 2009 at 4.00 p.m.
Palm Friday, April 3rd 2009 at 6.00 p.m. – school performance
Palm Saturday, April 4th 2009 at 8.00 p.m.
Palm Sunday, April 5th 2009 at 4.00 p.m.
Easter Monday, April 13th 2009 at 4.00 p.m.
Low Saturday, April 18th 2009 at 8.00 p.m.
Low Sunday, April 19th 2009 at 4.00 p.m.
You are kindly invited to come to Škofja Loka and enjoy the Passion Play 2009
