The Passion is coming to Drenthe next spring. But what is The Passion anyway?
The Passion tells the Easter story: the suffering, dying and the resurrection of Jesus. For Christians, that is one of the most important moments from the Bible. According to most Christian traditions, this happened around the year 30 or 33 of our era.
The story takes place in three days and starts with white Thursday. On that day, Christians commemorate the last supper of Jesus with his apostles. One of them, Judas, would later betray him and deliver it to the Romans.
Good Friday, the day after, is dominated by Jesus’ crucifixion and his death. For many believers it is a day of mourning and reflection.
But the story does not end on Friday. On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead. On that third day after his crucifixion, his followers found an empty grave: according to faith he had risen.
Even though fewer and fewer people call themselves Christian, the influence of Christianity is still clearly visible. First and second Easter Monday are still official holidays in the Netherlands.
Moreover, the story of The Passion can be followed live on television during the event, for everyone throughout the country. The first edition took place in 2011 in Gouda. Since then, the annual spectacle has been traveling to another city every year.
It is not the first time that The Passion has settled in the north. In 2014, Groningen was already host city. Friesland was also turning several times, with editions in Leeuwarden (2017) and Harlingen (2023). In 2026, Dwingeloo has the Drentse scoop.
The Passion 2026 is broadcast live from Dwingeloo on 2 April at 8.30 pm at KRO-NCRV on NPO 1. Every year the television broadcast attracts between 2 and 3.5 million viewers. The location itself is also popular, depending on the weather. Between five and ten thousand visitors come to The Passion.