POLISH TRADITIONS

• Poles are considered to be the nation which

like celebrating, tied to tradition, supporting

the old manners. The oldest rituals, particularly

those dating back to pagan times, have lost

their magical nature, becoming a colorful relic

of the past and an element of fun. Affection

with tradition is beeing felt the most during the

biggest celebration of religious holidays such

as Christmas, Easter and Corpus Christi,

during which processions are organized, or All

Saints' Day.

CHRISTMAS

• Christmas takes a special place in Polish

tradition. This is the most beautiful and family

holiday of the year, which is connected with

most rituals and beliefs. It is accompanied by a

magical atmosphere, unforgettable emotions,

tradition, meticulously cultivated for

generations. In almost every Polish home at

this special time can not miss Christmas tree,

wafer, carols and gifts.

Christmas traditions

• Christmas TreeA huge role in creating the Christmas atmosphere

has solemnly decked house where reigns the Christmas tree. In Poland, the custom of putting up the Christmas tree came from Germany in the eighteenth century. Previously suspended from the ceiling of the top of fir, pine or spruce. In the corner a sheaf were placed.Tree is to protect the house and its inhabitants from evil spirits. A star, suspended often at the top symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem.? Dressed in ornaments and flipperyChristmas Tree usually remains until Epiphany.

• Dishes for Christmas EveEach region in Poland prefer their own dishes for

Christmas Eve, but in every house this special meal isdominated by mushrooms, cabbage, poppy seeds, raisins and dried fruits. On the Polish table can not miss the red or fungal borscht with dumplings stuffed with mushrooms, dumplings with cabbage and mushrooms, cooked in many ways herrings, fishes and salads. A traditional delicacy is fried carp in jelly. Christmas desserts are poppy seed, honey gingerbread, cookies with almonds, walnuts and raisins, and a compote of dried apples, pears and plums. Special meaning is attached to kutii (wheat with poppy seeds and honey) , which is a relic of the ancient rites in honor of the dead.

• Carols

Carols are traditional songs in praise of the

birth of Christ. The oldest are from the

fifteenth century. Handed down from

generation to generation. Most, such as the

„Silent Night" or "God is Born" were created

at the turn of the seventeenth and eighteenth

centuries, and are sung during Christmas Eve

and Christmas until today.

WIELKANOC

• Easter is the oldest and the most important Christian feast, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a movable feast, celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring (between March 21 and April 25). Preceding the week during which the Church and the faithful recall the most important events for the Christian faith, is called Holy Week. Easter in Poland is very colorful, accompanied by many religious and folk rituals.

Easter traditions

• Easter palm Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. In the

churches are hallowed palms - willow twigs, branches of boxwood, raspberries, currants, decorated with flowers, moss, herbs, colorful feathers. The symbolic impact of households by palm provides them happiness throughout the year. Palm trees are stucked behind a picture or inserted into vases to protect the house from harm and malice of neighbors.

• Easter basket

Holy Saturday is a day of joyful

expectation. That day the Easter basket is

preparing. It’s a decorative basket with food,

which we hallow in the church. You can not

miss in it eggs, which are a symbol of birth

and new life, the lamb of sugar symbolizes the

martyred Christ, bread, salt, meat, horseradish,

festive cake. Easter basket is ate the next day

after the resurrection.

• Easter breakfast On Easter Sunday, after Resurrection

family sits down to a Christmas breakfast. Festive table covered with a white cloth, decorated Easter eggs, catkins or fresh flowers that bring spring mood. On "honorary" place there is an Easter basket. Easter breakfast begins by sharing the blessed egg, which is similar in form and symbolism to the Christmas wafer breakage. This ceremonial morning we first eat foods that have been hallowed the previous day.

• Easter eggs

Eggs, reigning on the Easter table, are a

symbol of life and rebirth. Beautifully

decorated from centuries adorn the Polish

tables during the Easter holidays. Although

over the years the ways of dyeing and

decorating eggs have changed, but the tradition

remained. During holidays, Easter eggs are

giving to family and friends, which is to ensure

the health, strength and success in matters of

the heart.

• Easter Monday Easter Monday is on the second day of

Christmas. It's fun, which consists of pouring relatives and even strangers by water. This tradition refers to the ancient pagan practices, connecting with a symbolic awakening of nature to life, spring cleaning of dirt and disease. The wetted that day maids have a greater chance of marriage. Until now the custom of sprinklingfields with holy water in Monday morning by the hosts is encountered in the villages of the southern Polish. Still alive is also doing pranks toneighbors, such as replacing gates, place agricultural tools on roofs or burying buckets.

NATIONAL CELEBRATION MAY 3

• On May 3 1791 the Constitution of the Republic of Both Nations was approved. It was the first constitution in modern Europe and second in the world. In an especially solemn atmosphere the main celebrations of May 3 at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Pilsudski Square in Warsaw are held. They are accompanied by a military parade, cannon salvos, the solemn admission of the guard, laying of wreaths. Fete 3 May is a joyful celebration. Throughout Poland spring events, concerts and family picnics are held. Many people take part in the run on the streets of Warsaw under the slogan „From the Constitution of May 3 to the European Union”.

Jan Matejko „Konstytucja 3 maja”

INDEPENDENCE DAY

• National holiday in Poland celebrated on 11 November to commemorate reclaiming of the independence by the Polish nation in 1918 after 123 years of partitions Polish made by the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia and the Habsburg Empire. Reclaiming of Poland's independence was a gradual process. The choice of November 11 can be justified by confluenceof event in Poland with the completion of the First World War. 11 November 1918, the Polish nation realized fully regain their independence, and the mood of deep emotion and enthusiasm ambrased the country.

ST. NICHOLAS DAY

• St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6

in Poland. The presence of Santa Claus

announces the coming of Christmas. On this

day Santa Claus (actually a person dressed as

him) brings gifts to children. These are usually

small gifts, candy or small toys. Adults also are

giving presents to their relatives. On the night

of December 5 to December 6 we put the gifts

under the pillow, in the boot or in a large sock.