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''Passion Play of Iztapalapa'' is an annual event during Holy Week in the Iztapalapa borough of Mexico City. It one of the oldest and most elaborate passion plays in Mexico as well as the best known, covered media both in Mexico and abroad. Unlike others in Latin America, its origins are not in the colonial period but rather a cholera epidemic in the 19th century, which gave rise to a procession to petition relief. Over time, the procession included a passion play which grew over time to include various scenes related to Holy Week. Today, the play includes not only hundreds of actors, but also thousands of men called “Nazarenes” who carry their own crosses to follow the actor chosen to play Jesus to the site where the crucifixion is reenacted. While the event is still primarily religious, it has also become a rite of identity for Iztapalapa (only residents of certain communities may participate) as well as a major tourism attraction for both the borough and the city. ==Description of event== In Mexico, many communities stage processions and passion plays for Good Friday, which in some places extends into other days of Holy Week.〔 〕 The Mexico City borough of Iztapalapa holds the largest and most elaborate of these, with up to 5,000 people participating and 150 of these with speaking roles.〔〔 〕 While a religious event principally, it is also a community event as only residents of the eight original communities of the borough (San Lucas, Santa Bárbara, San Ignacio, San Pablo, San José, San Pedro, La Asunción and San Miguel) can participate.〔 〕〔 〕 The event is popular, drawing crowds of anywhere from 2.5 million to four million from Mexico and abroad during the week that scenes are performed.〔 〕〔〔 The play is also accompanied by news media helicopters and rows of police to keep control of the crowds.〔 The performances do not adhere strictly to the Bible as there are influences from other religious writings and even secular stories. While it is claimed that the original script for the play still exists, its performance has evolved over the years. Unique features to the Iztapalapa event include a character called the “Wandering Jew,” a harem belonging to King Herod and a spy and dog that accompany Judas Iscariot who personally brings Jesus to Pontius Pilate .〔 Costumes are elaborate. The Roman soldiers wear leather sandals, bright tunics, plumed helmets and carry javelins and swords.〔 A number of these ride horses lent by the Mexico City police, who train the actors.〔 〕 The performances begin on Palm Sunday, with a procession along Calle Aztecas to the local parish church, where mass is held. Then the recreation of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem is held.〔 〕 On Holy Tuesday, a scene depicting the miracle of the loaves and fishes is held.〔 Crowds grow for Maundy Thursday at the Cuitlahuac Plaza, which begins with a procession, that finishes with the reenactment of the Last Supper, the washing of Jesus’ feet and Judas’ betrayal. When Jesus is arrested, Aztec drums and flutes announce the event.〔〔 There is also a Procession of Silence which winds its way through the eight communities.〔 〕 The play is intense and emotional, especially on Good Friday.〔〔 〕 The scene of Jesus being tried by Pontius Pilate occurs at midday at the Cuitlahuac Plaza. He is then turned over to the Pharisees. After this, about 10,000 take part in the procession to Calvary, carrying crosses of different sizes.〔〔 This procession is an enactment of the Stations of the Cross. Jesus is kicked, beaten, whipped, and with cinematic blood. When he stumbles and falls, the crowds react. In the processional, Judas walks through the streets and the crowd call out “traitor” as the actor throws fake coins from a bag.〔 At the top of the Cerro de la Estrella, which doubles as Mount Calvary, the sounds of nails being hammers come across the loudspeakers, and the crowd becomes very quiet. The actor is really bound to the cross and remains there for about twenty minutes. As the cross with Jesus is lifted it is not unusual to see people crying.〔〔 〕 After the crucifixion, the representation ends with Judas hanging himself alongside Jesus.〔 In addition to the man and women chosen to play Jesus and Mary, hundreds of young men called Nazarenes follow in the procession to the Cerro de la Estrella, barefoot, with crosses of varying sizes and often with crowns of thorns. They are accompanied by “Vírgenes de Pueblo” (Town Virgins) .〔〔 The annual passion play has become an important tourist attraction for Mexico City, especially the borough of Iztapalapa. The borough promotes tourism to the area during this time, offering guided tours of local museums, landmarks and green spaces. There are also specials in local hotels and restaurants.〔 〕 Around the staging areas, there is a carnival atmosphere with street vendors, amusement rides and vendors selling religious items.〔〔 Many of the scenes take place on the esplanade in front of borough hall. In 1992, the city published a book about it called Semana Santa en Iztapalapa (Holy Week in Iztapalapa) .〔 In 2009, a cultural festival called the Festival Cultural Pasión por Iztapalapa was created to run alongside the religious event.〔 In the same year, two monumental sawdust carpets were created related to the event for a photographic exhibition on the plaza in front of borough hall.〔 〕 However, in remembrance of the solemnity of the occasion, the sale of alcohol in all venues, including bars, restaurants and nightclubs is banned for the entire week.〔 〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Passion Play of Iztapalapa」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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