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The 'eternal' flower of San Pedro Las Huertas dyes Guatemala's Holy Week with faith
The static flower, known as 'eternal' or 'everlasting', becomes the protagonist of Holy Week in Guatemala, where its color adorns carpets and processions in a tradition deeply rooted in faith.
TL;DR
- The Limonium sinuatum flower, also called 'siempreviva' or 'inmortal', is crucial for Guatemala's Holy Week traditions.
- It is used to create ephemeral sawdust carpets and adorn window displays for Holy Week processions.
- The flower is known for its ability to retain vibrant colors for up to three years after being cut.
- Climate change has severely impacted its cultivation, reducing harvest areas from an average of 60 'cuerdas' to 20 this year.
- The community initiated the 'Festival de la Estaticia' to promote direct sales and benefit the 30 producer families.
- Purple is the most popular color due to its penitential symbolism, but fuchsia, lilac, white, and yellow are also available.
- Buyers from El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras also purchase the flower, extending its reach across Central America.