The Oberammergau Passion Play, a once-per-decade event in
Germany, is being postponed until 2022 because of the Covid-19 coronavirus.
It’s yet another blow to tour operators and river cruise
companies, which have tied many summer packages to an event that was expected
to draw about half a million visitors.
The play dates to 1633, when the people of the Bavarian
village vowed to re-enact the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
every 10 years to ward off the plague.
More than 2,000 actors, instrumentalists, singers and
supporters -- all hailing from the village -- take part in the five-hour
performances, which this year were scheduled to run from May 16 to Oct. 4.
The Globus family of brands (Globus, Cosmos, Avalon
Waterways and Monograms) said it would give guests priority for the 2022 event
and at the current price. The company said it expects to offer new dates to travelers
by May 2020.