"Passion is only possible with it": safety concept is approved - requirements are significantly stricter than in 2020

Created: 05/04/2022, 12:20 p.m

By: Tanja Brinkmann

It's usually tight in the Passionstheater: Maybe that will work in 2022 too. © declair

Safety is a top priority at the Oberammergau Passion Play.

With a sophisticated concept, the organizers try to be prepared for all eventualities.

Until the very end, questions had to be answered.

Oberammergau –

Three and a half kilos.

Eigen Huber weighed the steward he takes with him when it came to security issues at the Oberammergau Passion Play.

"And there is no correspondence included," says the deputy mayor (with a sense of proportion).

If he put that on the scales as well, the whole thing would be at least twice as heavy.

This alone shows the challenges facing the community.

As the organizer, she must ensure that the vow game runs smoothly and, above all, safely.

And for protecting high-ranking visitors, some of whom will be attending the premiere on Saturday, May 14th.

A mammoth task.

One that they didn't have to face to this extent in 2010.

The concept, which was further specified in comparison to 2020, has only recently been approved.

"At the end there were 20 questions that we have to answer," says Huber.

The community not only has to lash down the conditions, but also, as is usual for events with fewer than 5,000 visitors, give the green light for them.

Understandably, this only happens when all the concerns of the so-called blue light organizations, i.e. the police, fire brigade, Red Cross and other rescue services, have been clarified to their satisfaction.

That has now been successful.

"We only have to supply individual points, for example when training took place," says Huber.

Oberammergau Passion Play: A lot is demanded of the community

It is a relief for him and Walter Rutz, manager of the in-house culture business and managing director of Passionstheater GmbH, that this concept has finally been approved.

No wonder.

Finally, time was of the essence.

"The auditions start this Friday," says Rutz.

He never had any doubts that this would work.

"It only depended on the details." However, he cannot understand what is being asked of the community here.

“Unfortunately, the whole thing is even stricter than in 2020.” After the game had to be postponed due to the corona virus, “everybody now had time to deal with it more intensively”.

As a result, Oberammergau has to meet extremely strict requirements.

The concept alone cost 150,000 euros.

"But it's only ready for paper, nothing has been bought yet," Huber clarifies.

Only recently, for example, did he know that the municipality would also have to finance the folding signs that will be used to indicate parking on the B23.

Cost: 10,000 euros each.

A security area is designated around the Passion Theater during the vow play, which can be extended depending on the danger situation.

Graphics: Municipality of Oberammergau © Architect (Dipl.-Ing., TU) Urs

The folder also contains a plan on how to deal with a new corona outbreak.

Just like the guidelines for what has to be observed during the G7 summit, which takes place from June 26th to 28th in Schloss Elmau.

"Of course we have an increased security situation," emphasizes Rutz.

Around the theater is the area in which special conditions apply until the end of the Passion Play on October 2nd.

Depending on the level of danger, this can be closed to traffic with the help of the newly erected, extendable bollards.

Residents who are in the pink zone (see graphic) are not allowed to drive in or out.

For those who live or work in the yellow area, there are two time windows to drive out.

The 118 households affected have long since been informed.

There are also dedicated parking spaces for them

Passion Play 2022: With shuttle buses to the theater

Visitors arriving in their own cars will be guided to the parking spaces at the entrances to the town.

After the police determined how many were needed, independently of the surveys by Passionstheater GmbH, the community had to improve again.

"Coming from Unterammergau, we prepared another area for 80,000 euros," says Huber.

Visitors have to pay five euros for their parking space, which they can book online in advance.

From there you can take a shuttle bus to the theater.

In addition to traffic, the concept also deals with questions of hygiene and what you can take with you to your seat.

Bags must not be larger than Din A4.

A half-litre PET bottle is also permitted.

Anything beyond that, including umbrellas, must be handed in at one of the bag drop-off points.

For rollators, which have also not been an issue up until now, “we had to designate our own parking spaces,” explains Rutz.

With all the specifications, it is clear that visitors are allowed to take a light blanket with them.

If you forget it, you can borrow one on site.

"We certainly won't let anyone freeze to death," assures the plant manager.

Passion Play 2022: Corona rapid test before each use in the theater

To Rutz's delight, the participants do very well with all the specifications.

Everyone undergoes a rapid corona test before each assignment in the Passionstheater.

And now they also use the bike racks behind the stage.

Huber announces that they will be informed separately about the specifications of the security concept.

"It is particularly important that everyone is there on time." The deputy mayor concedes that the security concept restricts the freedom of participants, residents and visitors.

"On the other hand, you have to consider that passion is only possible with it."