The significance of tomorrow's (Saturday) Orange Order parade in west Belfast stretches well beyond its actual route.
It is one of the first major loyalist marches of the summer, and it is likely to provide a firm indication of what lies ahead over the coming months.
The demonstration is scheduled to travel along part of the nationalist Springfield Road, despite the objections of some residents.
Although restrictions have been imposed, the Parades Commission has approved the main proposal from the Orange Order.
In these circumstances, the organisers of the demonstration have a heavy responsibility to ensure that everyone connected with it behaves in an exemplary way.
During previous years, some marchers and their supporters have gone out of their way to seek a confrontation with nationalists in the Springfield Road area.
Many nationalists have been only too willing to rise to the bait, and the outcome has included some particularly ugly clashes.
Republicans have spoken of the need to maintain a calm approach at the weekend, and it is vital that they should use all their undoubted influence in this regard.
Should the Springfield Road parade pass off without incident, it could well set a trend for the rest of the summer.
If violence should break out instead, against a background of political instability, the consequences could be grave throughout July and August.
It is in the interest of the entire community that this march should be completed peacefully.
With sensible policing tactics, and restraint on all sides, such a result is fully capable of being achieved.
