THE PROCESSION AND DANCE OF DEATH IN
VERGES
The Procession at Verges is Festival of
National Interest and the annual portrayal of a traditional mystery play that
stems from Medieval Catalan theatre.
The Procession takes place exclusively
on the night of Maundy Thursday, this year on April 9th. The Dance of
Death stands out as the only component of this procession that has survived
uninterruptedly, in a very real way, from Medieval times to the present day; it
serves as a reminder that time is transitory.
The Dance of Death group comprises ten
people, divided into groups of five. The first group acts out the choreography
and the other people add atmosphere to the dance. The five dancers – two adults
and three children – are dressed as skeletons and carry symbolic objects: a
scythe, flag, clock without hands and plates of ash. The other five figures are
dressed in black tunics and move forward following the rhythm but without
forming the dance steps.
The Procession of Verges is structured
in two parts. The first is a representation of the Passion of Christ and takes
place at ten pm in the town square. It enacts the main events of Jesus’ life,
with specific emphasis on his betrayal, detention and
condemnation.
The scenes portray the conversion of
the Samaritan woman, Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, the last supper, Judas’
betrayal, the Dance of Death, the Garden of Gethsemane and the handing over of
Jesus to Pontius Pilate.
The second part takes place at Midnight
when a procession winds through the town streets, once Jesus has been condemned
to crucifixion and when the actors make their way towards the church; Jesus
begins to walk with the cross. At this point in time, the town streets are
transformed into the theatre, until the actors return to church, where the
procession ends.
Information taken from:
www.verges.net
www.laprocesso.cat
www.laprocessodeverges.com
