Different kind of Palm Sunday this year - but Philharmonic Bands still ΄present΄

Under normal circumstances - pre-coronavirus - Corfu Town would already be crowded with people for Easter. Sadly, this year the important celebration will be completely different.

Today is Palm Sunday but the scene in Corfu Town bears no resemblance to previous years. Normally, Corfiots and visitors to the island would be filling the streets to witness the procession with ST. Spyridon's sacred relics.

The town would be all dressed up and everyone would be taking part in the celebrations in remembrance of the end of the plague in 1629 - due to the miraculous intervention of the island's patron saint, according to the Church.



This year's Palm Sunday is completely different due to the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus - the modern-day 'plague'. Nevertheless, there was something in 2020 that allowed those in Corfu to take heart.

That 'something' was the presence of the Philharmonic Bands - different from other years due to the pandemic.



Easter isn't Easter without the Philharmonic Bands and so the oldest bands on the island - 'Old' and 'Mantzaros' - decided to create the traditional unique atmosphere as much as possible with the aid of technology. Recorded versions of all the pieces beloved to Corfiots could be heard from speakers to everybody's delight.



The unique atmosphere starting from Palm Sunday with music from the Philharmonic Bands is the best antidote for the depression caused by the coronavirus pandemic.








* Main video and photos: Vassilis Doukakis

** 3 last videos: Stamatis Katapodis - Facebook