Y Daith: Oberammergau

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-It was awful.

-Seeing it on Friday

-will be terrible.

-It's part of God's design,

-unfortunately.

-He saved the world by sending

-his son to die for our sins.

-It's awful, but that's what happened

-and what I believe.

-Ultimately,

-it's a theatrical experience for me.

-But subconsciously,

-I hope to renew my faith...

-..in the crucifixion

-and the resurrection.

-The experience

-of seeing the crucifixion...

-..will outdo films

-such as The Passion Of The Christ.

-It's live theatre.

-It happens to a real person...

-..just as people stood on Calvary

-when Christ was crucified.

-Oberammergau is a village

-in the Bavarian Alps.

-Its once-a-decade Passion Play

-attracts thousands of visitors.

-This year,

-a coachload from Clwyd is going...

-..to see a theatrical performance

-of Christ's final week on earth.

-The Reverend Wayne Roberts

-organized a complete experience.

-A great friend of mine

-was a staunch chapelgoer.

-I remember him saying,

-"We need religion and chips."

-We'll have fun on this journey too.

-It's an event on people's tick list.

-Most people will be inspired.

-It'll be interesting

-to see how some react.

-I want to go

-because of what it means.

-I admire the people and why

-they did it in the first place.

-The bubonic plague

-had ravaged their society.

-They vowed that if they were

-saved from the plague...

-..they would commemorate

-the crucifixion forever.

-I admire that.

-The first Passion Play

-was staged in 1634.

-The tradition lives on,

-as does the villagers' dedication.

-It's a tradition that everyone

-who takes part was born there...

-..or has lived there

-for at least 20 years.

-It's true to this day.

-People stop working for 18 months.

-The men promise not to shave.

-They're very serious.

-There is a stand-in for Christ

-if the main actor is taken ill.

-They must live as Christ lived.

-They promise to be pure.

-I'm sure it's a worry for them.

-They have to become Jesus Christ.

-I couldn't say I'm like that.

-I'm a minister and live my life

-as best as I can...

-..but I couldn't say I resemble

-Jesus Christ in my life.

-Wayne lives in Llanrhaeadr,

-between Ruthin and Denbigh.

-As well as looking after

-eleven parish chapels...

-..he arranges regular tours

-for members.

-Many outside his parish

-expressed an interest in this trip.

-I knew it was happening this year.

-Silver Star Holidays

-told me when they were going.

-Someone mentioned a minister

-who was arranging a trip.

-She eventually remembered his name

-and phoned me.

-I knew of him

-and phoned him immediately.

-I was so pleased because everyone

-praises his trips.

-I knew and respected Wayne

-as a minister and shepherd.

-I only know half a dozen of them.

-They appear to be members

-in Wayne's churches.

-It's lovely to be around them.

-I'm expecting the unexpected.

-Something unlike anything

-I've experienced before.

-I expect to see a great crowd...

-..creating tension...

-..and passion.

-Over the years, Brian Morris

-has acted and written scripts...

-..for local drama companies.

-Many have a religious theme.

-But since his wife's death,

-Brian has questioned his faith.

-I lost a partner and wife.

-We were together for 46 years.

-That's the biggest part of my life.

-Like everyone else who has

-experienced a loss, I ask questions.

-Why her?

-But that's the order of things.

-We have to accept it.

-But anyone who has been

-in my situation...

-..if they're honest...

-..will question God's workings.

-My Father...

-..cannot this cup be taken away?

-My Father...

-..don't abandon me.

-We kept the buses in this garage.

-We once had

-a dozen and a half buses.

-I can take a back seat

-now that the buses have gone.

-I have time to go to places

-I should have visited years ago.

-It's not a pilgrimage.

-It's up to the individual.

-It's not confined

-to chapel members.

-There are people

-from as far afield as Colwyn Bay.

-OK, thanks.

-Llinos, my sister, is a partner

-in the Pentre Motors business.

-I was excited

-when I heard about Wayne's trip.

-I've always wanted to go,

-but the timing was never right.

-The travel agent said I was

-the first to put my name down.

-That's how much I wanted to go,

-and I'm going!

-Usually, our theatre trips

-are a maximum of two hours per show.

-The Oberammergau Passion Play

-lasts for seven to eight hours.

-I hope to stay awake till the end!

-Although she was born

-in the Denbigh area...

-..Enid Davies lives in Eglwysbach

-in the Conwy Valley.

-She's going on the journey

-with her sister, Gwen.

-I'm packing all sorts

-in case they come in handy.

-I'll probably end up

-putting half of them back!

-I wanted to go to Israel

-and Oberammergau before I die.

-I visited Israel ten years ago.

-I'm going to Oberammergau this year.

-I'd be too old to wait around

-for another ten years!

-But I want to go terribly.

-It's a week's holiday for Enid.

-It'll finish with the realization

-of her dream in Oberammergau.

-After travelling from Munich

-to the Tyrol...

-..they arrive at their hotel

-in Seefeld, over the Austrian border.

-Tesco or Asda, is there peace?

-Peace!

-Seefeld above Tyrol, is there peace?

-Peace!

-Sit in the peace of the Eisteddfod!

-The week's itinerary

-includes Wayne's Welsh nights...

-..and a taste of local culture.

-They'll stay in Seefeld

-for the first part of the holiday.

-The popular destination...

-..is still important

-to Oberammergau pilgrims.

-This is their first morning.

-Everyone is free to roam

-as they wish.

-Here you are, Brinley!

-I'm delivering your wives for you!

-Where are you taking them today?

-Do you want to know

-where I was last night?!

-Seefeld is one

-of the Tyrol's main towns.

-It's a very special little haven

-north-west of Innsbruck.

-We're surrounded

-by the Austrian mountains.

-It's 40 minutes from Oberammergau,

-which is very convenient.

-CHURCH BELL

-Some kept their feet on the ground...

-..but Llinos and her friend Sheila

-headed for the heights.

-Look!

-How did they know we were coming?

-Well, well!

-Well, well!

-

-Welcome!

-It's fantastic here.

-Tomorrow morning

-is the highlight of the holiday.

-We'll see the Passion Play.

-We're looking forward to it.

-I'm delighted we had the chance

-to come here today.

-I'm thrilled

-to have come on this excursion.

-I feel on top of the world.

-It's indescribable...

-..looking down

-on all of the mountains.

-It might sound odd,

-but I feel an inner peace here.

-Since I lost my partner...

-..I haven't got any complaints

-and I don't bear a grudge.

-I was fortunate

-to share Ceri's journey.

-But I feel a nagging doubt...

-..like others

-who've been in this situation...

-..why me and why her?

-She never hurt anyone.

-It's one of life's trials

-that we must all face.

-We come to terms with the loss.

-We live in hope...

-..and perhaps in my subconscious...

-..experiencing tomorrow's

-crucifixion and resurrection...

-..will inspire me

-to believe we'll meet again.

-It will signify to me

-that it's not the journey's end.

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-The Reverend Wayne Roberts

-leads travellers from Clwyd...

-..to Oberammergau

-and the holiday's highlight.

-The world-famous Passion Play

-is only performed every ten years.

-Is this my Father's house

-or a market?

-There's one important stop

-on the way.

-The Pilgrimage Church of Wies.

-I compare it to St Beuno's Church

-in Clynnog Fawr.

-Pilgrims to Bardsey stopped there,

-and we're stopping here.

-It's an exquisite Catholic church.

-People witness Jesus's suffering.

-They get rid of their sins.

-There are different areas here

-to pray or to talk to God.

-It's a special place.

-I lit a candle and said a prayer

-for Meinir, my daughter.

-I think about her every day.

-Meinir is usually

-my first waking thought.

-I lost her three years ago.

-She was 45 and a mother of three.

-She was a lovely girl.

-All parents

-say this about their children.

-There is no greater tragedy

-than losing a child.

-Everyone would say that.

-It's hard, even with my faith.

-God can't prevent such suffering.

-We all suffer - he who

-hasn't suffered hasn't been born.

-With God's support,

-we get through it, but it's hard.

-This year is the first time...

-..that talking about her

-doesn't make me cry.

-Just thinking or talking

-about Meinir would make me cry.

-That doesn't happen any more.

-SOBS

-CROWD SHOUTS

-CHEERS

-One.

-We're the Golden Girls.

-Not that we're old!

-We try our best.

-There are no men in our team.

-We had to find men...

-..to help us win!

-This is the man who helped us.

-He's our mascot.

-But he isn't much cop!

-Watch it!

-CHEERS

-We've come here to bowl tonight.

-It's a great opportunity for us

-to socialize and enjoy ourselves.

-Tomorrow is a heavy day.

-We're going to see the drama,

-which will be emotional.

-It's important that we all mix

-and have fun.

-SHOUTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

-It's strong stuff!

-What's happening tomorrow?

-What's happening tomorrow?

-

-No idea.

-We're going on the bus

-to Oberammergau.

-We'll have an early breakfast

-and be on the bus by nine o'clock.

-We're fortunate

-to be going on a Friday.

-It's more significant

-because it was a Good Friday.

-The date helps.

-I've been before.

-It's an unforgettable experience.

-That's why I've come back.

-They reach their journey's end

-on Friday morning - Oberammergau.

-Between May and October...

-..more than 250,000 people

-will see the Passion Play.

-For many, like Enid and her sister,

-it realizes a lifetime's dream.

-It's a once in a lifetime

-experience.

-We'll get a spiritual feeling

-out of it.

-I hope we'll enjoy the drama.

-I'm sure the singing will be good.

-We'll try to understand

-the odd word of German.

-This is where

-the Passion Play takes place.

-We'll be entering

-in a quarter of an hour.

-There are thousands of people here.

-It's buzzing with excitement.

-# THE PASSION PLAY #

-I thought it was amazing

-and memorable.

-When the Old Testament tableaux

-appeared as a backdrop...

-..the choir separated

-from the middle...

-..framing the tableaux.

-When the tableaux closed,

-the choir came together.

-They were so professional.

-It was very effective.

-I felt the pain and suffering.

-It was

-an incredibly moving experience.

-I had tears in my eyes.

-The crucifixion was very emotional.

-Everyone knows the story.

-But to see it happening...

-..and seeing the blood...

-..and how

-the blood capsules worked...

-..it was incredibly frightening.

-More than 4,000 people

-had come from all over the world.

-That was incredible.

-# THE PASSION PLAY #

-The following morning,

-it's time to leave Oberammergau.

-They travel back

-to Seefeld for their own service.

-We're a colourful bunch.

-I didn't know some of them well,

-but we've all socialized.

-Enid, who assists in Welsh churches,

-will lead this morning's sermon.

-Jesus Christ included many women

-as his disciples.

-Enid's sermon concentrated on

-the role of women in Jesus's life.

-The Passion Play had naturally

-struck a chord with her.

-Mary's suffering when Jesus

-was taken down from the Cross...

-..was very powerful and emotional.

-I cried.

-Brian's main interest

-was a theatrical experience.

-Did the Passion Play

-have a deeper impact on him?

-A shiver went down my spine.

-It was also uplifting.

-The opening was so striking

-that I was shaken.

-The choir sang

-to announce Christ's victory.

-For me,

-it was the spirit of eternal God.

-He's alive, he's alive.

-I was there.

-# Ponder anew

-# What the Almighty can do #

-The experience

-strengthened us as individuals.

-It strengthened my faith.

-It was strong before, I'm sure.

-I was so pleased to be there.

-I'm sure that my faith

-is even stronger.

-I hope so.

-# Let the Amen

-# Sound from his people again

-# Gladly

-# For aye we adore him #

-S4C Subtitles by GWEAD

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