We have two types of holidays: national and religious. Those first are
generally a little boring, although important and have that patriotic
and historical meaning. They make us think of turning points of our
history and paying homage to people from that past times. Those are
for example: The Third of May - Passage of the Third-May Constitution
in 1791 (it was the first Constitution in Europe), The Eleventh of November
- The National Independence Day. We sometimes go at celebrations in
the centres of each city or just stay at home with family.
Because of the fact, that Poland is in 95% catholic,
some religious holidays are also national. We are supposed to go to
churches and to pray on these days. It may not look especially interesting
at first sight, but this is untruth. Every religious holiday is for
us a time of calmness, thinking of God, deep considerations and more
polite behaviour. We often meet with family or close friends on specially
prepared and more solemn dinners and suppers, later spending time
on talks, walks, watching TV and generally on relaxation. These where
the "usual" holidays. Now let's read about few fun bringing
days. These are: Easter, Christmas and The New Year.
On Easter, we're going to churches to
pray and to see the beautifully prepared displays there. We're also
eating blessed food (eggs, bread, sausage, salt, pepper) and spending
time peacefully on talks or different activities, but not on typical
work. Easter Monday is a lot more interesting day. A custom here is
for people to pour each other with water. You'd better not walk lonely
this day (a warning directed especially to all young women). You can
be as wet as if You were in the centre of monsoon rains. But remember
that it's just for fun.
Second in an importance is Christmas.
We're preparing our houses by decorating the Christmas tree and wreaths.
On 24th of December the most important meal of the year takes place.
The table is first covered with straw or hay, and then with a white
tablecloth. The tradition is to have from 11 to 13 dishes for Christmas
Eve Supper and to taste them all. Sometimes there is one seat left
by the table for unexpected guests. But before eating, we're wishing
one another, treating with wafer. At the very end, after dinner, You
can observe what is making the children happy - getting the presents.
We also sing carols and at midnight go to churches for Pasterka (the
Shepherd Mass). On two next days of proper holidays, we're using the
Christmas spirit and also…resting, of course. It's the one of the
happiest periods of time in the year.
New Year's Eve is a perfect time to have fun and to party.
Almost everyone is spending the night like people all over the world.
We're having a good time all night and maybe even all day long. Fortunately,
it's a day free of school and work. We have total of 11 holidays and
a few holiday breaks.
St. Andrew's Night, November 30th (Andrzejki) is a time of the
one of the most popular name day parties and meetings. There are many
entertainments on this day. Fortune telling is a very old custom. For
example: hot, melted wax is poured into a bowl of cold water, and the
hardened wax is then held up to the light. The shadow it casts on the
wall is said to reveal the future.
Miner's Day (St. Barbara's day, 4th December) is a day, when all miners in Poland
celebrate by taking part in many parades and then by meeting in big
inns with friend from work and families. A day before they have ceremonies,
on which they are getting recognitions. Their black uniforms are well
prepared for this day and have red or white feathers on the tops of
the hats. Miner's Day is mainly celebrated in Silesia.
On the last Thursday before Lent people eat a
lot, often without attaching weight for their figure, calories and
how much its cost. Doughnuts and chrust (a kind of crisp cake fried
in oil) are the most popular delicacies that day.
