In 2026 the passion plays in St. Margarethen in Burgenland celebrate their centenary with an exciting new enactment of the passion story.
The parish priest Josef Kaindlbauer and the leader of the parish’s youth, the young farmer Emmerich Unger, together with the youngsters from the parish of St. Margarethen put on the first passion plays in 1926 in the Unger family’s farmyard. Thereafter the plays were put on every ten years in the parish hall. In 1961 the venue moved to the Roman quarry in St. Margarethen, and since then, the passion plays have been performed every five years in front of this spectacular natural backdrop.
The St. Margarethen passion plays are a founding member of “Europassion”, an association of passion play venues in 16 European countries that aims to encourage religious theatrical performances. To celebrate the 2026 centenary year, the story of the life, passion and death of Christ and his resurrection will be reinterpreted with a new text, new music and new direction. “Mirjam – stark wie der Tod ist die Liebe” (Miriam – love is as strong as death), written by the head of the passion plays, Rev. Dr. Richard Geier, tells the story of the passion from a woman’s perspective for the first time: 20 years after the event, Miriam, aka Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ closest confidante, and other figures from St. John’s Gospel, recall events relating to the crucifixion of Jesus. Around 500 volunteers from St. Margarethen will participate in the performances from May to July 2026. The net profits will be used for non- profit, charitable and church projects.
