Resurrection with Youthful Vigour Celebrated
Scenes from the Life of Jesus in the Easter Party of the Syrian-Orthodox Community

by United Suryoye

Ganderkesee (rh). With the Easter festivities of the Syrian-orthodox Christians of Ganderkesee, in the communityhouse of St. Yakob, the youth group of the community surprised with a self-written stage play about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Rehearsed by the 19-year-old group leaders Simone Atug and Marin Aslan the 30 actors presented with likeable impartiality the head scenes of the sufferings of Christ in Old-Aramaic. "This is the language of Jesus" said Simone Atug proudly. For five years she and her partner have studied Old-Aramaic, before they ventured now to write down own ideas of captivity, death and resurrection of Jesus in six scenes from the point of view of young Arameans. Impartially the young Christians had come along even to rehearse the "father ours" in a not belonged song version up to now. "We all are excited very much" sait Simone Atug, before she gave the signal to the performance.

Almost all of the 60 Aramean families of the Syrian-orthodox Community of Ganderkesee had already assembled in the morning at 8 o'clock in the communityhouse of St Yakob, to commit the fasting break after 50-day Lent after a festive service together. As man's rows and women's rows all visitors endured curiously not to miss the start of the unusual presentation of own younger generation.

Already in the first part of the show which found her climax in a colored Communion scene, Markus Aslan proves himself as a talented Jesus's actor who later pointed out the persons present to the symbolism of the Good Friday with a crusade through the community house. With pastry and tea all actors pocketed the applause of the community at the end. "The expenditure has been worthwhile", Simone Atug summarized her impressions.

Article originally published in the German newspaper, Das Delmenhorster Kreisblatt:
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