Every year on Maundy Thursday, the Easter story is given a musical twist: The Passion. The Passion of Jesus Christ can be heard and seen in Zeist this year and traditionally, a large illuminated cross is carried by various bearers during the musical-Biblical event. “It is nice to bring people from different backgrounds together with The Passion,” says cross bearer Raymond Lamphen.
Preparations for the fourteenth edition are already in full swing and plenty of rehearsals are underway. Lamphen emphasizes in Goedemorgen Nederland on NPO 1 that it is a moment of togetherness. “And to reflect together on life and what we mean to each other. It is good to pay extra attention to that.”
‘Bring different backgrounds together’
Lamphen himself was a volunteer at a football club in Zeist. “What you often see there is that polarization is an important topic. You meet a lot of people with different backgrounds.” The musical festival is therefore ideally suited to bring different cultures together.
He explains that the cross is carried by a total of eighteen people at the same time. “Luckily you alternate. I haven’t trained for it, but it will work. The cross is not that heavy.”
Are you already receiving our free WNL newsletter? Register here now!
First time as a cross bearer
Ester Kraai is participating as a cross bearer for the first time this year. “It is now so close to home that I immediately thought: I want to participate. I actually wanted that for years, to experience that warm feeling by being there.”
“I think it’s a great idea that in these times of many differences between people, these kinds of things bring the country together in something positive. You feel the solidarity,” said VVD Member of Parliament Bente Becker.
The Passion can be seen on NPO 1 on Thursday, March 28 at 8:30 PM.
Also read:
The Passion also suitable for the blind and partially sighted? ‘This post is an obstacle’
See more
By: Rick Hartkamp
