THE PASSION OF CHRIST IN ISCHIA
THE PASSION OF CHRIST IN ISCHIA
As a part of the Easter traditions in Ischia, the town of Forio transforms itself into a live theatre where the "Actus Tragicus" group perform their version of the Passion of Christ on the town's streets.
Walking through Forio on the evening of Good Friday, the sense of drama about to unfold is palpable in the early spring air. The town of Forio transforms itself into a huge theatre where the most famous story ever told is about to be recreated to another generation. Everywhere you look, you can see that something very different is about to happen - the normally sleepy town is awash with excited people expectantly waiting the annual rendition of the sombre tale of Jesus' crucifixion. The town's street-lights are all coloured with a red hue and candles adorn the pavements outside the shops and cafes.
Turn one corner and you'll see a Roman Centurion in full battle-dress, turn another and you'll find a chariot being drawn by a group of beautiful horses. The excitement is built still further as bellowing out from speakers all around town, comes dramatic music, the kind you normally hear on films such as Gladiator, when a Roman garrison marches in to battle.
The play begins with Jesus's fate being discussed by the priests who resolve to bring the self-proclaimed "Son of God" to trial. In full regalia, men and women of Ischia act out their roles in brilliant and convincing fashion, moving and speaking perfectly in time with the soundtrack on the speakers and the voice of the narrator who fills in the gaps.
The crowd's gaze then moves across to the scene of "The Last Supper" where Jesus and his disciples are assembled before being confronted by Roman Centurions who have come to seize the prophet after being told of his whereabouts by Judas Iscariot. Jesus is arrested and sent to Pontus Pilate to seal his fate, and sentencing is carried out with the blessing of the mob who are asked to choose between Jesus and Barabus to be saved from their death-sentences.
By this time the figure of Jesus is in a wretched state and sent to an altar where he is repeatedly flogged by Roman Centurions who bait him in full view of his mother, The Virgin Mary. Jesus is mocked again as "The King of the Jews" when the soldiers place on his head his crown of thorns. The Romans then order the crowd to stand aside as they form a protective cordon with their spears, so that the bloodied Jesus can carry his own cross to the place of his crucifixion.
The townsfolk then parade through the streets of Forio as Jesus is repeatedly whipped by the soldiers, before reaching the Chiesa del Soccorso where the two thieves are already in place on their own crucifixes. The sight and sound of Jesus being nailed to the cross causes the large crowd to gaze on in a collective painful silence, imagining the pain and hurt being inflicted on this poor figure. With dramatic sound and lighting effects, Jesus is mounted on the cross while still being berated and flogged by the Roman soldiers.
The Virgin Mary looks on as her son's final moments and words are echoed across the square, before the scene ends tragically with Jesus' inevitable death. The crowd fall silent again as the message of this most poignant of events pierces every heart in the audience before they make thier way back to their homes in reflective mood.
Forio has to be admired for the professionalism that it demonstrates in conducting their production with the sense of drama and interest it creates with fabulous attention to detail.
So Easter in Ischia begins in a sombre and reflective mood, but just a few days later the town recreates the happier events of Easter Sunday with the Corsa dell'Angelo.
Dion Protani
[email protected]
Walking through Forio on the evening of Good Friday, the sense of drama about to unfold is palpable in the early spring air. The town of Forio transforms itself into a huge theatre where the most famous story ever told is about to be recreated to another generation. Everywhere you look, you can see that something very different is about to happen - the normally sleepy town is awash with excited people expectantly waiting the annual rendition of the sombre tale of Jesus' crucifixion. The town's street-lights are all coloured with a red hue and candles adorn the pavements outside the shops and cafes.
Turn one corner and you'll see a Roman Centurion in full battle-dress, turn another and you'll find a chariot being drawn by a group of beautiful horses. The excitement is built still further as bellowing out from speakers all around town, comes dramatic music, the kind you normally hear on films such as Gladiator, when a Roman garrison marches in to battle.
The play begins with Jesus's fate being discussed by the priests who resolve to bring the self-proclaimed "Son of God" to trial. In full regalia, men and women of Ischia act out their roles in brilliant and convincing fashion, moving and speaking perfectly in time with the soundtrack on the speakers and the voice of the narrator who fills in the gaps.
The crowd's gaze then moves across to the scene of "The Last Supper" where Jesus and his disciples are assembled before being confronted by Roman Centurions who have come to seize the prophet after being told of his whereabouts by Judas Iscariot. Jesus is arrested and sent to Pontus Pilate to seal his fate, and sentencing is carried out with the blessing of the mob who are asked to choose between Jesus and Barabus to be saved from their death-sentences.
By this time the figure of Jesus is in a wretched state and sent to an altar where he is repeatedly flogged by Roman Centurions who bait him in full view of his mother, The Virgin Mary. Jesus is mocked again as "The King of the Jews" when the soldiers place on his head his crown of thorns. The Romans then order the crowd to stand aside as they form a protective cordon with their spears, so that the bloodied Jesus can carry his own cross to the place of his crucifixion.
The townsfolk then parade through the streets of Forio as Jesus is repeatedly whipped by the soldiers, before reaching the Chiesa del Soccorso where the two thieves are already in place on their own crucifixes. The sight and sound of Jesus being nailed to the cross causes the large crowd to gaze on in a collective painful silence, imagining the pain and hurt being inflicted on this poor figure. With dramatic sound and lighting effects, Jesus is mounted on the cross while still being berated and flogged by the Roman soldiers.
The Virgin Mary looks on as her son's final moments and words are echoed across the square, before the scene ends tragically with Jesus' inevitable death. The crowd fall silent again as the message of this most poignant of events pierces every heart in the audience before they make thier way back to their homes in reflective mood.
Forio has to be admired for the professionalism that it demonstrates in conducting their production with the sense of drama and interest it creates with fabulous attention to detail.
So Easter in Ischia begins in a sombre and reflective mood, but just a few days later the town recreates the happier events of Easter Sunday with the Corsa dell'Angelo.
Dion Protani
[email protected]
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