Presidential couple in Palm Sunday pageant

First Lady Anna Komorowska (L) and President Bronislaw Komorowski (R) attending Palm Sunday festivities in the village of Lyse, north east Poland. Photo: PAP/Tomasz Waszczuk

“It's no coincidence that countless people from across Poland came to Lyse today, including the president and his wife,” Komorowski said.

“Because it's worth feeling the special relationship between folk culture and national culture,” he said.

Owing to the lack of authentic palms in Poland in times past, a custom emerged of creating home-made alternatives, typically fashioned from wicker, dried flowers and ribbons.

A contest to build the most beautiful palm has been held in the village of Lyse since 1969.

Some 140 palms were entered in this year's competition, and the proud winner was Mrs. Daria Zakrzewska, herself from Lyse.

Meanwhile, in Lipnica Murowana, southern Poland, the 56th edition of a contest to construct the tallest palm was adjudicated.

Local artisan Zbigniew Urbanski proved invincible once again, taking the top prize for a giant that measured 31.84m.

Nevertheless, Urbanski failed to trump his own winning palm from 2013 (32.34m), let alone his all-time record of 36m. (nh)

Women in folk costume during Palm Sunday festivities in the village of Lyse, north east Poland. Photo: PAP/Tomasz Waszczuk

Source: PAP