89 groups - 16 countries - 1 passion

Europassion - A union of 91 groups from 16 countries

Europassion is a union of European passion play groups. It connects 89 groups from 16 countries, which organise performances and processional rites on the theme of the Passion of Christ. We focus on diversity, celebrating the multicultural and rich history of European passion plays. We promote both cultural and intelectual exchange between our members, by bringing together passion players from all over Europe. What has started as a meeting of a small group of friends in 1982 has grown into an international movement which not just preserves but also further develops the tradition of passion plays in Europe.

1982 - Esparreguera (ESP)

The passion groups of Loudéac (FRA), Nancy (FRA), Masevaux (FRA), Ulldecona (ESP), Olesa de Montserrat (ESP) and Esparreguera (ESP) hold the first international meeting of European passion play groups.

1984 - Loudéac (FRA)

10 groups participate in the first official meeting dedicated to forming a union of European passion play groups.

1989 - Loudéac (FRA)

16 passion groups from France and Spain meet. LEVATE, a magazine dedicated to European passion plays, is created.

1990 - Masevaux (FRA)

For the first time German Groups attend a meeting of European passion play groups.

1990 - Ötigheim (GER)

Austrian groups participated for the first time in a meeting of European passion play groups.

1991 - St. Margarethen (AUT)

13 groups from 6 countries meet.

1992 - Paris-Menilmontant (FRA)

26 groups meet. For the first time groups from Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary, The Czech Republic and Romania) participate.

1993 - Sömmersdorf (GER)

27 groups from 12 countries meet.

1994 - Cervera (ESP)

18 groups meet

1995 - Ligny (BE)

At a meeting of 27 groups from 12 countries the foundation of Europassion as a union of European Passion play groups was agreed upon. Josef Lang from Auersmacher (GER) was voted secretary general and Ligny was chosen as the registered seat of the association. A statue was also worked out

1996 - St. Margarethen (AUT)

34 groups from 12 countries adopt the statues of Europassion. From now on an annual general assembly will be held and every member group would get a vote.

1997 - Tegelen (NL)

23 groups attend the general assembly

1998 - Mendrisio (CH)
1999 - Thiersee (AUT)

35 groups attend the general assembly

2000 - Oberammergau (GER)

43 groups attend the general assembly

2001 - Magyarpolany (HU)

32 groups attend the general assembly. The first Europassion homepage is created.

2002 - Montefoscoli (IT)

27 groups attend the general assembly

2003 - Sezze (IT)
2004 - Nancy (FRA)

26 groups attend the general assembly

2005 - Pula (HR)

26 groups attend the general assembly

2006 - Lobzencia (POL)

25 groups attend the general assembly

2007 - Wintrich (GER)

36 groups attend the general assembly

2008 - Salmünster (GER)
2009 - Neumarkt i. d. Oberpfalz (GER)
2010 - Ferreira do Zezere (PT)
2011 - Cantiano (IT)
2012 - Schönberg (BE)
2013 - Erl (AUT)
2014 - Loudéac (FRA)
2015 - Sordevolo (IT)
2016 - Cieszyn (POL)
2017 - Kecskemét (HU)
2018 - Budaörs (HU)
2019 - Tullins (FRA)
2020 - Tirschenreuth (GER)

The general assembly was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 - Skofja Loka (SLO)

The general assembly was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

2022 - Esparreguera (ESP)
2023 - Horice na Sumave (CZ)

Thomas Hummel from Salmünster (GER) is voted secretary general.

2024 - Miercurea Ciuc (RU)
2025 - Crostwitz (GER)
2026 - St. Margarethen (AUT)

Europassion is reorganised as a non-profit organisation with its headquarters located in Rome, Italy