Valencia Trader

Palm Sunday 28th March 2010

With the arrival of spring comes Easter week. It has centuries of history behind it and is one of Spain's most authentic and emotive celebrations. The streets of the vast majority of Spain's cities, towns and villages become the stage for religious devotion, in memory of Christ's death. Music, art and colour come together in magical processions - solemn parades in which crowds of people accompany religious images on their route through the towns.

Easter is celebrated in every corner of Spain, and each different place does so in its own special way. For centuries these festivities have been deeply-rooted in popular imagination and inextricably linked with art. This can be seen, for example, in the many images of Christ and the Virgin Mary, masterfully sculpted with incredible realism by the likes of Juan de Juni, Pedro Berruguete and Gil de Siloé. These exceptional works of Spanish religious art (many of which are more than 500 years old) are paraded through the streets to be devoutly and respectfully admired by thousands of people.

This celebration commemorates Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem and always sees large crowds of people in attendance.

Elche is the only place in the world where the tradition of crafting white palm fronds lives on. This town has been exporting palm frond creations to other countries for centuries. Palm branches are used, which, after being treated, are plaited into beautiful, creative forms and figures. Not to be missed at this fiesta is the palm-figures competition organised by the Religious Brotherhoods of Easter Association. The works presented for the competition are exhibited over the course of the weekend in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. It is free of charge and you can admire, from up close, these beautiful, complex images created by hand.