Polish traditions and ceremonies Polish traditions through the year include holidays, customs, superstitions, rituals, and celebrations. Some are firmly rooted in the national religion, Catholicism; others stem from pagan rites of seasons. In many cases, visitors to Poland can participate or learn more about these traditions. St. Andrew's Eve In Poland, Andrzejki, or St. Andrew's Eve is on the 30th of November. This tradition has its roots in the past and is focused on superstitions and fortune telling. Poles who take part in Andrzejki rituals do so for fun rather than to gain insight into their futures, but for those traveling to Poland or those who are interested in Polish culture, the traditions are worth knowing about. Andrzejki fortune telling is mostly for unmarried young ladies. In the past, searching for a husband was a Polish girl's most important task, so some St. Andrew's Eve rituals predict which female in the household will get married next or help to describe the man they will marry. Santa Claus in Poland December 6th is St. Nicholas Day, and on St. Nicholas Eve, Mikolaj places gifts under children's pillows. Alternatively, Mikolaj visits in person, either dressed in elegant bishop's clothing or in the merry red winter suit typical to the Western Santa Claus. Sometimes, gifts are accompanied by a switch to remind children to be good. Mikolaj may make an additional appearance on Christmas Eve. The Burning and Drowning of Marzanna Marzanna is a pagan springtime festival in Poland that signals the end of winter. It usually takes place on the fourth Sunday of Lent. The “drowning” of Marzanna is still conducted as a way for Poles to stay in touch with their ancient heritage and have fun with superstitions and festive traditions. Marzanna represents winter or death, and the Sunday on which the Marzanna celebrations take place is sometimes called Death Sunday. On this day a straw or rag effigy of Marzanna is constructed, sometimes by school children. The effigy is imbued with the negative qualities of the long, cold winter. The Christmas Eve Supper Wigilia The Wigilia begins at the appearance of the first star. There is no red meat served but fish, usually carp. The supper, which includes many traditional dishes and deserts, can sometimes last for over two hours. It is followed by the exchange of gifts. The supper begins with the breaking of the bread calls opłatek. Everyone at the table breaks off a piece and eats it as a symbol of their unity with Christ. They then share a piece with each family member. Christmas Day Wesolych swiat! Merry Christmas! Christmas day is spent visiting family and friends. Dinner typically is ham, some type of Polish kielbasa, roast duck or goose, or Hunter’s stew – bigos. Starboys go caroling from house to house carrying the szopka, a miniature puppet theater that recreates the Nativity story. 11 November National Independence Day It is a public holiday in Poland celebrated every year on 11 November to commemorate the anniversary of Poland's assumption of independent statehood in 1918 after 123 years of partition by Russia, Prussia and Austria. The date of 11 November was announced a national holiday in 1937. Major celebrations, attended by Polish State authorities, are held in Warsaw at Piłsudski Square. Churches celebrate masses with the intentions of the Homeland. 15th of August The victorious Warsaw Battle the Polish Army Day In Poland the 15th of August is the Polish Army Day, connected with the anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw in 1920, also known as the Miracle upon the Vistula. The day is also the Day of Assumption. The victorious Warsaw Battle, fought on 12-25 August 1920, during the war between Poles and the Bolsheviks, is considered a breakthrough in the history of the world. It was decisive not only for the independence of Poland, but it also protected the entire Europe from the spread of communism and soviet totalitarianism. 14th October Teachers' Day This day is the anniversary of the creation of the Commission of National Education, created in 1773 through the initiative of King Stanisław August Poniatowski In many countries, Teachers' Days are intended to be special days for the appreciation of teachers, and may include celebrations to honor them for their special contributions in a particular field area, or the community in general. The date on which Teachers' day is celebrated varies from country to country. 1st September Invasion of Poland The Invasion of Germany on Poland Russia's invasion of Poland Poland in World War II September 1, 1939 - May 8, 1945 September 1st, 1939 was a day that a stronger country came to devour them. Germany attacked from it's own land to the west, form Czechoslovakia from the south, and from Prussia to the north. They attacked very quickly without warning. It first started with preparing the way with fifth-column activity behind enemy lines. Then massive destruction was brought upon the opposing air force on the ground. Next, destroying the communication and transportation systems from the air. The next step was sending light force in the enemy's territory with motorcycle infantry, light tanks, motor-drawn artillery. Then heavy tanks come from the rear and started carving out mechanized pockets. Finally, sending out the foot soldiers supported by artillery, to deal with any resistance and join up with the advanced forces. On September 17, 1939, Russia invaded on the East Side on the basis of a pact between Russia and Germany called the Ribentropp-Molotov pact. Russia and Germany had signed treaties with Poland a few years before, and France and England had given their promise to protect Poland in case of an attack in 1939. France and England had hoped that Russia would protect Poland, but it did not know about the pact between Germany and Russia. Stalin and his forces took the other half of Poland with its oil fields. Hitler had not known they would attack so swiftly because he had planned to cut Stalin off from the oil fields and Hitler's road to the oil of Romania. June 1 Children's Day The International Children's Day has been introduced in Poland in the early fifties of XX century. It was easily adopted by Polish children and adults - on the personal level as well as in schools and other public institutions. It coincided with the beginning of summer and since it takes place near the end of the school year - it is usually treated as a holiday. Children attend schools at this day - but school usually organizes for them some special activities - like outdoor plays or the field trips. This day and also the whole week of the beginnig of June is the time of the festivities organized in the parks and entertainment centers. The parents usually buy some small gifts to their kids - the smaller the children the bigger the gifts 8th March Women’s Day Women's Day is is celebrated on March the 8th of each year. Women's Day is the old Polish version of the Valentine's Day with the one difference that all women are on the receiving side while all men are on the giving side. While the Valentine's Day is more privately celebrated between the lovers, the Women's Day is celebrated more as a national holiday for all women, whether they are 8, or 80 years old. At that day all women in Poland receive special attention (usually in the form of flowers) not only privately, but also at schools and at work (hospitals, offices, etc.). In addition to flowers, they sometimes receive greeting cards, which are not that popular in Poland as they are in North America. 26th of May Mother's Day Mother's Day in Poland is celebrated on the 26th of May. Mother's Day is marked with the special celebrations in schools and kindergardens. Younger children prepare so called "laurki" for their mothers - a sheet of paper decorated with flowers on which children write their wishes to their mothers. Schools often carry special ceremonies or classes to commemorate Mother's Day. But not only children remember about their mums on that special day; all people pay tribute to mothers for all their love and support and to make them feel special. January 21st January 22nd Grandmother’s Day and Grandfather’s Day In Poland, Grandmother's Day is celebrated on January 21. Grandfather's Day is celebrated a day later, on January 22. Grandmother ‘s Day and Grandfather’s Day are days when grandchildren are greeting their grandparents. These are special days, when they can express their feelings and gratitude. There are many reasons to be grateful such as carrying for their grandchildren, love, moral teaching, passing family traditions, setting example, but also small things like gifts and sweets that they give to their children, cooking for them or legacy. During Grandmother's Day and Grandfather’s Day grandchildren are sending congratulatory cards to their grandparents. Sometimes children are participating in performances and ceremonies organized in schools and kindergartens for their grandparents. 23th June Father’s Day This day isn't as popular as Children's Day or Mother's Day in Poland ,but we celebrate it by giving our dads small, but meaningful gifts reminding them of our love. 14th February Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day has not been celebrated in Poland until very recently. Only after the collapse of the Eastern European Block and the consequent opening of Poland's borders this well known, especially in English-language cultures holiday entered Polish society.