Škofja Loka Passion Play

A scene from the Škofja Loka Passion Play (2009)

The Škofja Loka Passion Play (Latin: Processio locopolitana, Slovene: Škofjeloški pasijon) is the oldest play in Slovene. In its current form, it was a penitential Passion procession. It was written on the basis of an older tradition in 1715, with minor corrections until 1727, by Father Romuald (Lovrenc Marusič; 1676–1748), a Capuchin monk who lived for a period in the Škofja Loka Capuchin monastery in the town of Škofja Loka.[1] The passion presents Biblical stories, particularly from the life of Jesus. It consists of 869 verses, written in the old Škofja Loka dialect. They are divided into 13 tableaux. It belongs to the Baroque period and represents the oldest preserved director's book in the world.[2] The play's manuscript is kept by the Škofja Loka monastery.[3]

The play was originally staged on Good Friday each year until 1751.[3] After almost three hundred years, it was presented again in 1936 as part of an exhibition, and revived in 1999, 2000, and 2009.[3] The first two reprisals were directed by Marjan Kokalj, and the latest by Borut Gartner. They were performed by around 640 amateur actors and actresses, among them 80 cavalrymen. The tableaux were divided into 20 scenes. The National Youth Council of Slovenia bestowed the Municipality of Škofja Loka a special recognition for a volunteer project in 2010, after the municipality had organised the play in the previous year.[4] In 2008, the performance has been entered in the Slovenian intangible cultural heritage register.[3] The play will be performed again in 2015 and 2021. Its reprisals in Škofja Loka are the largest open-air theatre productions in Slovenia.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Ogrin, Matija (2008). "Vprašanja tradicije Škofjeloškega pasijona. Ekdotična perspektiva" [The Questions of the Traditions of the Škofja Loka Passion Play. The Ecdotic Perspective]. Slavistična revija (in Slovenian) 56 (3): 289–304.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Prva postaja za uvrstitev Škofjeloškega pasijona na Unescov seznam" [The First Step towards the Addition of the Škofja Loka Passion Play to the UNESCO's List]. MMC RTV Slovenija (in Slovenian) (RTV Slovenija). 7 May 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Slovenia Seeking to Put Oldest Play on UNESCO Heritage List". English Service: News (Slovenian Press Agency). 5 April 2011.
  4. ↑ "Best Volunteers and Projects for the Year 2009 Proclaimed". National Youth Council of Slovenia.

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