SAVING PALM SUNDAY PALMS
The “Parmureli”, one of the most characteristic symbols of a Roman Easter, risks disappearing if a determined little beetle continues unchecked on its course of havoc. The voracious palm weevil, which found its way into Italy from the Orient, has successfully destroyed many of the palm trees that grace coastal towns, especially in the Ligurian region where the sweeping fronds of the Phoenix dattifera provide the long branches for the Palm Sunday procession at St. Peter's.
The palm leaves are woven into intricate shapes by local Bordighera and Sanremo horticulturists to form the distinctive “parmureli” banners, symbolizing the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem a week before his betrayal and death.
The tradition of supplying the Vatican palm leaves dates back to the 16th century. According to a well-known legend it derives from an episode involving the raising of the towering Egyptian obelisk that dominates St. Peter's square. Brought from Heliopolis by Caligula to decorated what was Nero's Circus, it had toppled over and lain abandoned after the circus fell into disuse. When Pope Sixtus V decided to have it raised the complex manoeuvre almost failed when the weight bearing ropes began to fray under the strain. The disaster was averted by a sea captain from Bordighera who shouted instructions to wet the ropes. The Pope expressed his gratitude by according the captain's family the eternal privilege of supplying the palm leaves for the Easter procession – a tradition still kept alive today.
Nowadays, however, in churches all over Italy, the classic palm leaf has been substituted by an olive branch, symbol of peace.
Info: www.compagniadellepalme.eu infopoiny@comunedisanremo.it
