Procession of the Palms in Elche (Alicante) 2011

Declared of International Tourist Interest in Elche in 1987, marks the beginning of the celebration of Easter.
The main event of this day, the Procession of the Palms, acquires special importance in Elche, thanks to the amount of white palms, from the Elche palm groves, leading the faithful.
This procession, which commemorates Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, has always had great participation, becoming one of the most characteristic manifestations and mass Elche.
The first documented on Palm Sunday dates back to 1371, when the Consell de la Vila (Municipal Council) joined the festivities distributing alms.
Trade white palm and is contained in a news council's books of 1429 and has been a constant to this day. Elche white palms have been exported for centuries throughout the Catholic world.
In a special section should include the palms are palms to contest organized by the Board of Mayor Brotherhoods of the Holy Week. Reflected in their leaves complex figures related to the acts of the same, or Elche monuments and traditions.
On Palm Sunday of Elche was declared a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest on 14 July 1988 and International Tourist Festival on July 22, 1997.

PROGRAM

PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION
Sunday 17 April 2011
10:45 - Blessing of Palms in the Paseo de la Estación, and out of Jesus' triumphant procession, accompanied by thousands of participants wearing white palms.
Directions: Diagonal del Palau, Puente de Altamira, Avinguda del País Valencià, Puente de Canalejas, Plaça de Baix, Corredora, Pont dels Ortissos, Capità Lagier, Uberna, Plaza del Congreso Eucarístico a Basílica de Santa María.
After the procession, solemn mass.

PALMA WHITE MARKET
Friday 15 and Saturday 16 April
Throughout the day, available in:
Plaza de Baix (Town Hall)
Plaza de Barcelona (C/ Diagonal)
Plaza de Madrid (C/ José Díez Mora)
Mercat del Pla (C/ Antonio Sansano Franco)
Plaza del Altabix (Conde Casas Rojas)
 Exposition branches to the white palm contest
Saturday 16 abril
17:00 to 21:00 - in the Medieval Market Hall, Exhibition of branches to the white palm contest craft patterns, braided, miniatures and special Blanca Palma Municipal School.