Although it is alive all over Poland, she is most celebrated in the village of Łyse in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship and in Lipnica Murowana in Lesser Poland.
Palm Sunday in Kurpie. This is how the village of Łyse celebrates
Unique celebrations are attracted not only by the faithful from the region, but also in the curious from all over Poland. In fact, in the whole country on the last Sunday of Lent, we celebrate Easter palms, but the Kurpie ones are distinguished not only by bright colors, but above all large sizes. Their height ranges from 2 to even 6 meters. Also, their method of execution is different than in the case of a typical Polish palm. They are formed on the basis of a trunk of a cut tree – hazel or pine. Then they are paid with a fork, blueberry or flowers, freely dried or made of paper. Forest vegetation as well as flowers made of tissue paper and paper ribbons are used to decorate Easter Kurpie Easter. From 1969, Palm Sunday celebrations have been accompanied by a competition for the most beautiful Kurpie palm. The awarded works are usually in Łysych, where they are exhibited in both churches – old wood and new brick. Both individuals and entire classes from nearby schools take part in the competition. The record number of Easter palms was submitted to the competition in 2012. The jury then evaluated them as many as 250. Every year several palm trees are not qualified for the competition. The reason is usually a decoration incompatible with tradition, for example the use of grain. A must -have element of traditional Kurpie palms were lively green elements, such as blueberries. Unfortunately, these are less and less often used for decorating twigs. It happens that before Palm Sunday in the forests there is no greenery yet, which makes participants easier to get paper or tissue paper than vegetation.
Palm Sunday in Lipnica Murowana
The focal point of the Palm Sunday celebration in Lipnica Murowana is the competition for the highest and most beautiful palm. Lipnica palm trees, reaching impressive sizes, are a real phenomenon and attract crowds of tourists from all over the country. The inhabitants of Lipnica, from generation to generation, transfer the skills and techniques of building palm trees, and preparations for the competition last for many weeks. They are made of natural materials such as willow branches, wicker, hazel, paper, dried flowers and herbs. These palms reach impressive heights, often exceeding 30 meters.
Easter palm. How to make a palm on Palm Sunday?
Making an Easter palm yourself is a good opportunity to spend time with your family and cultivate beautiful Polish traditions. You don’t need much effort to prepare the simplest. Here’s how to make a palm step by traffic.
What will you need?
Willow branches (base) are the basis of every palm. A stick or rod to which we attach branches and decorations. It can be a wooden stick, a bamboo rod or even a thicker wire. Dried flowers and herbs – e.g. blankets, Suchoan, decorative grasses. Colorful ribbons, to wrap the stick and add color. Boxwood – green branches of boxwood add freshness and symbolize life. Other ornaments – e.g. feathers, beads, tissue paper, egg shells. Tools: Przedkatu or scissors, for pruning twigs and flowers. Floristic wire or strong thread – for fixing decorations. Glue (optional), to stick small elements.
Palmie instructions
Choose the right length stick or rod that will be a palm skeleton. Wrap the stick with a colorful ribbon, starting from below and heading up. You can use glue so that the ribbon holds better. Attach the willow branches (base) to the upper part of the stick with a floristic wire or strong thread. Arrange them evenly around the stick, forming a dense crown. Attach the twigs of boxwood around the willow branches. Arrange them so that they form a green background for other decorations. You can also add other green branches, e.g. juniper or spruce, to diversify the appearance of the palm. Prepare dried flowers and herbs, cutting them to the right length. Arrange the flowers and herbs evenly around the palm, weaving them between the twigs of willow and boxwood. Flowers and herbs with a floristic wire or a strong thread. You can also use glue to stick small elements. Remember to maintain color and compositional balance. If you want, you can add other decorations to the palm, e.g. feathers, beads, paper or egg shells. Attach decorations with wire, thread or glue. Be careful not to overdo the number of decorations so that the palm does not lose its natural charm. For the palm to keep its appearance longer, store it in a dry and cool place.
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