Something About

THE PASSION OF CERVERA

The performances of the “Passion of Cervera” take place every year throughout different weekends of March and April, and Good Friday.

Image of a representation of the “Passion of Cervera”.

The “Passion of Cervera” is a theatrical representation of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A tradition that began more than 500 years ago and has been continuously renewed to adapt to different eras. However, it was in 1969 when, given their historical and social importance, the representations of the “Passion of Cervera” were declared a treasure of the intangible cultural heritage of Catalonia and Andorra.

The show

The first references found of the representations of the “Passion of Cervera” date back to the year 1477 in some books, preserved in the Regional Archive of the Segarra, where the original manuscripts of the passion of the year 1534, “Mystery of the passion”, written by Pere Ponç i Baltasar Sança in mediaeval Catalan, are also kept. Initially, the text was written to be performed only on Good Friday, but over the years it was extended with more scenes to fill the entire Holy Week with liturgical acts so that the parishioners better understood the suffering of Jesus and the meaning of the celebration.

In the nineteenth century they began to use the text written by the monk of the Montserrat abbey Fray Anton de San Jeroni, “The Holy Passion”, and in the years to come, different Catalan authors created other texts that would also be interpreted. After the break, the show suffered because of the Civil War (1936 – 1939), the text “Christ, Mystery of the Passion” was created, written by Emili Rabell and Josep Mª Sarrate. This text would replace the original one of 1534. Years later, in 1999, a new show was born, “La Pasión de Cervera”, completely renovated and adapted to the XXI century.

In addition to the text, the scenography of the show has also included different improvements over the years such as the professionalisation of its artistic direction, and the inclusion of two

side stages to the “Gran Teatro de la Pasión”, which offer a spectacular view. In addition, the construction of corporeal sets in 90% of the scenes offers a realistic spectacularity to all areas, which are combined with old paper sets, still visible in some scenes. On the other hand, the lighting section renovation offers a specific environment in each of the scenes, together with the sound, also digitised, which enhances the sound quality. The costumes are also important, as they are realistic and true to the story, while the music, captivating and original, has been recorded by the Julià Carbonell Symphony Orchestra of the lands of Lleida.

The Grand Theatre of the Passion

Several stages in Cervera have hosted this show: the church of Santa María, the Main Square, the “Casal” theatre, until reaching the “Gran Teatro de la Pasión”, one of the largest theatres in Europe, built expressly for these performances and with a capacity for 1,700 people and three stage accesses that give the show a certain dexterity and cinematographic rhythm.

The “Passion of Cervera” today

The performances of the “Passion of Cervera” take place every year throughout different weekends of March and April, and Good Friday. More than 300 people, including actors, technicians, local entities and groups, make this unique show possible.

Thanks to the three stages available in the “Gran Teatro de la Pasión”, the action never stops. This dynamism means that the viewer does not disconnect from what is happening on stage, and remains attentive throughout the two acts that the show has. While the first act shows the public life of Jesus from his baptism to his entrance into the city of Jerusalem, the second explains his last days, from the Last Supper to his death and subsequent resurrection.

It is worth mentioning that, in “La Pasión de Cervera” a special staging is given to the female characters, something that is not found in any other passion, and that attributes a differentiating and unique character. In addition to the main roles of Mary and Mary Magdalene, Cervera’s stage also features characters such as Claudia, Pilate’s wife, Martha, Magdalene’s sister, and the temple maids. In addition, the audience can enjoy scenes such as Claudia’s dream, Pilate’s wife, or Mary’s suffering. This relevant role of female characters stands out as a very positive value that the Passion wants to maintain to contribute to the debate on the historical function of women in popular traditions.

For all that has been explained, “The Passion of Cervera” has been the object of study by many historians. Without going any further, studies carried out by the University of La Sorbonne in Paris have recognised the staging of “The Passion of Cervera” as the oldest in Europe.

The “Passion of Cervera” shows life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.