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Poles celebrate Palm Sunday

10.04.2022 17:30
Catholics across Poland are celebrating Palm Sunday which starts the Holy Week.
Catholic believers holding palms in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord  in Warsaw on Palm Sunday, April 10.
Catholic believers holding palms in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Warsaw on Palm Sunday, April 10.Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

The day commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Traditionally, on the last Sunday before Easter, palms are blessed in churches throughout Poland, while various localities, such as the northeastern village of Łyse, hold annual contests for the most beautiful palm.

In Lipnica Murowana, the challenge is to create the tallest palm possible.

This year, which saw the 63rd edition of the competition, record-holder Andrzej Goryl trounced his rivals once again, with a concoction that rose to 25,25m.

Goryl was still a considerable distance off his own record, which he accomplished in 2019 with 37.78m.

Owing to the lack of authentic palms in the country, a custom emerged in Poland of creating home-made alternatives. These are traditionally made with wicker, willow twigs, dried flowers and ribbons.

(ał)

Source: PAP