The culture of Easter

From intimate passion plays performed in village cores, to huge, theatrical processions through the streets of big cities, Easter is extremely rich culturally. Jo Caruana finds out more.

There’s a lot to ponder at this time of year. With spring in the air we’re reminded of our place within nature, and it’s always healthy to schedule a little time for quiet reflection on the beliefs that make us tick.

Cultural events – whether in the form of plays, concerts or processions – can be fantastic for just that. So here’s our pick of some of the best offerings for those keen to make some time for culture this Easter, both locally and overseas.

• Malta

This year, Heritage Malta is promising something that little bit different by bringing two key Holy Week events to life at two different historical venues.

Firstly there will be an interactive street-theatre performance of the Passion of Jesus Christ today, between the Neolithic Temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra.

The cast includes Alan Fenech (who also directed the piece), Zep Camilleri as the narrator, Triccas as Jacob, Anthony Ellul as Pontius Pilate and Michelle Zerafa as Mary Magdalene.

It-Tmiem also promises to bring the story of Jesus’ final days to life, while questioning our hopes and beliefs for the future.

Written especially for Holy Week, and directed by Andre’ Penza, it will take place at the Metanoia Theatre in Luqa today and Wednesday at 7.30 p.m.

The show will feature local actors including Mark Mifsud, Frida Cauchi, Tiziana Calleja, Chris Penza, Joseph Fenech, Sandro Farrugia and Pamela Schembri.

For music lovers, Cappella Sanctae Catharinae, Malta’s only male choir, will be putting on a concert of sacred music for Holy Week under the title ‘P.D.N.J.C.’ This year, the concerts will be tied to the statues used in the traditional Holy Week processions that are held all over Malta.

They will offer a series of musical reflections on the passion Għargħur on Tuesday. The concerts start at 7.15 p.m. and entrance is free, though donations are welcomed.

• London

Widely known for its theatrical endeavours, Easter won’t disappoint culture vultures in the British capital. And aside from all the usual theatrical events – everything from wild musicals to intimate plays – a few religious performances will be taking place.

In fact, central Trafalgar Square is set to stage the dramatic events surrounding the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus with a special adaption of the Passion on Good Friday (kicking off at noon for three hours).

This free event will be performed by 70 actors and will cover the betrayal of Christ by Judas, as well as the arrest of Jesus and his trial before Pontius Pilate.

The climax will, of course, be the crucifixion of Christ and his ultimate resurrection. And while the setting will be ‘Ancient Rome’, modern technology will still be very much at the fore, with radio microphones and huge screens used so that everyone attending can follow.

For something more low-key, there will be a performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion in beautiful St Paul’s Cathedral on the Tuesday of Holy Week, as well as on Easter Sunday and April 9.

• Edinburgh

Known as ‘The Play’, a massive event is set to take place through the main streets of Edinburgh, as it has done for the past few years now. Moving through pretty Princes Street Gardens, thousands of onlookers watch as actors play out the last few hours of Jesus’ life.

Meanwhile, the Passion Walk is an opportunity to walk the route of Jesus’ Easter journey through the streets of the Scottish capital. It is an individual pilgrimage through the events of Good Friday, with reflective and imaginative material given in a printed or audio guide.

Walkers begin at Greyfriars Kirk on the George IV Bridge any time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., on Friday (Good Friday) and Saturday, and follow the guide back to the centre of the city.

• Arizona, US

If you’re willing to travel half way across the globe for Easter culture, then you may want to find yourself in Arizona, which is now home to the ‘largest passion play in the world’.

It was 1928 when the tradition of putting on an Easter production first got started there, and it has since grown to encompass a cast of 450 – with up to 12,000 visitors attending every performance.