2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
EASTER
CHRISTMAS EVE
ALL SAINTS’ DAY
ST. NICHOLAS’ DAY
ST. ANDREW’S DAY
T.VALENTINE’S DAY
3. EASTER in poland
It is the most important and oldest Christian feast, celebrated in the remembrance of
Christ's Resurrection. On this day, Polish people eat a special breakfast with their
relatives. Easter is preceeded by Holy Week. The last days of this week: Holy
Thursday , Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday are known in Poland as the
Triduum Paschalne.
Polish traditions and rituals:
Easter palms
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. Easter palms can be
made of willow rod, sprigs of boxwood, raspberries,
currants. They are decorated with flowers, moss, herbs,
colorful feathers. Every Christian in Poland goes with his
Easter palm to church to be blessed by a priest. Later, they
are placed behind a holy picture or kept in the vases. We
believe that Easter palms protect our flat s from misfortune
and malice neighbours.
4. Śmigus-dyngus
Śmigus-dyngus - it's all fun for teenagers. On this day you can pour some water at
people and there is no difference whether it is your relative or a stranger.
5. *Easter egg
Christians in Poland paint or dye hard boiled eggs and then go to church to consecrate
them on Holy Saturday. The family shares these eggs and gives wishes to one another
during Easter breakfast. We believe that an egg is a symbol of life and rebirth.
*Easter basket
We prepare An Easter Basket filled with food on Holy Saturday. In the basket you
should put a chocolate lamb (the symbol of Jesus Christ), meat or sausages, a bit of
horseradish, butter ( a sign of prosperity ), a slice of bread and dyed eggs.
6. CHRISTMAS EVE Supper
In the Christian tradition this festival commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.
Our traditions and rituals
* The holly wafer
The most important and
most touching moment
during Christmas Eve
Supper is sharing the holly
wafer with your relatives
and friends.
There is also an old Polish
custom to invite lonely
people to Christmas Eve
Supper so that in the
*Mightnight mass
evening no one was left
Some Polish people attend Shepards’ Mass at
alone and sad.
midnight. It is a mass celebrated in church on
Christmas Eve.
7. *Christmas Carols
Carols are Christmas songs which are sung during Christmas time. It is also the habit of
walking from house to house with the wishes of Christmas and New Year.
Christmas Tree
During Christmas Eve almost every Polish family
decorate a Christmas tree with glass baubles, candy,
paper or plastic ornaments, and cookies. A star is
usually put at the top which symbolizes the star of
Bethlehem. The whole tree is lit with colorful lights.
8. Gifts
There is a custom of giving and
getting gifts on Christmas Eve.
Children believe that the gifts
were brought by Santa Claus and
put under the Christmas tree for
them.
Nativity scenes at churches
Nativities are usually some models showing the
interior of the Bethlehem stable in which Jesus
Christ was born. There are also a baby Jesus in a
crib , Mary and Joseph ,the Magi, shepherds , cattle,
sheep, the Star of Bethlehem and angels.
9. 12 dishes
There should be 12 meals on the table during Christmas Eve Supper. Everyone ought to
try all of them in order to ensure happiness for himself/herself during the whole next
year. The most traditional Polish dishes are: beetroot soup with dumplings, fried carp
in jelly, cabbage with peas, cabbage with mushrooms, dumplings with cabbage, noodles
mixed with poppy seeds and honey.
A little hay and an additional plate
Christians should put a bit of hay under the tablecloth before eating Christmas supper.
The hay symbolizes the poverty of the cave in Bethlehem where the baby Jesus was
born. Moreover, a free plate at the table is left for a late and unexpected guest.
10. ALL SAINTS’ DAY
All Saints” Day is celebrated annualy on 1st November. Polish people visit the
graves of their loved ones, pray for them and light the candles.
11. ST. NICHOLAS’ day
It is celebrated in Poland on December 6 in the
honor of St. Nicholas - the Bishop from Myra.
During that day , relatives put small presents under
the pillows , in a shoe or in a large sock for their
partners and children.
12. ST. ANDREW’s Day
It is celebrated on 30 November. Some teenagers in Poland play different
games, organise parties or discos and have fun together .
These are just some of the games played that day :
Cards with names
On a small piece of paper you should write some favourite names of boys /girls.
*
These paper cards should be tightly folded or rolled and then in the night of St.
Andrew’s you should put them under a pillow in your bed. When you wake up,
draw one card and the name on it, is supossed to be the name of your future
boyfriend/ girlfriend or even future wife/ husband.
Peeling apples
If you want to get to know the first letter of your
future beloved’s name you should carefully peel an
apple. Take care not to break the peel . Then you
throw the apple peel back ,over your left shoulder
and read a letter which was created when it fell to
the floor.
13. Pouring hot wax
You can also try to foretell the name of your next boyfriend/ girlfriend by the
pouring some hot wax by the key hole during St. Andrew’s Day.
14. ST. VALENTINE’S DAY
Valentine's Day is celebrated on 14th February. During this day of lovers , we
prepare or buy decorative Valentines cards. Valentine cards are usually red,
heart-shaped with some romantic love confession. There is also a custom of
giving a Valentines ‘s gift to your partner .
