Archive for the year 2010
Advent and St. Nicholas Day in Poland Posted by Kasia on Nov 12, 2010
Christmas traditions in Poland are full of magic and meaning. The customs, which have been passed down through the centuries, are deeply rooted in religion, family and nature. People prepare for this big holiday during the four weeks of Advent. In Poland this is a time of fasting and prayer, of spiritual preparation for Christmas…
Polish Independence Day, November 11th Posted by Kasia on Nov 11, 2010
As many of you know, today is an Independence Day in Poland. Just few hours ago in Warsaw dozens of far-right Polish demonstrators marched in an Independence Day event in Warsaw. Counter-protesters have turned out in response — some dressed like concentration camp inmates. There was a heavy presence of anti-riot police Thursday as Poles marked…
Transportation in Poland Posted by Kasia on Oct 29, 2010
When you come to Poland you will find that in some ways traveling is very efficient. And in other ways it is frustrating. The larger cities do not have the big metro systems that you will find in places like Prague and Budapest. But don’t let this stop you from settling in a town or…
Poland – location and topography Posted by Kasia on Oct 27, 2010
When I talk to my friends here in the US, they ask me about polish geography. So I wanted to talk about it today. Let’s get all the simple facts together, like where exactly the country is located, who are Poland’s neighbors and what kind of terrain dominates the landscape. Generally speaking, Poland is a…
Warsaw ZOO Posted by Kasia on Oct 21, 2010
While you are in Poland, especially in Warsaw area, a great idea for you and your family is to visit the Warsaw Zoological Gardens. The Zoo in Warsaw was founded in 1928. At that time, it covered an area of 12 hectares (30 acres) and was home to approximately 500 animals mainly representing the Polish…
Andrzejki – St. Andrew’s Eve, November 29th Posted by Kasia on Oct 19, 2010
Last time I told you about All Saints’ Day. Today let’s talk about a different holiday that is coming up soon in Poland. For several hundred years now girls in Poland have foretold their future as regards to love and marriage on St. Andrew’s Eve. The ancient custom of girls’ divination night was described by…
Święto Pamięci Zmarłych – All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day Posted by Kasia on Oct 12, 2010
The celebration of All Saints, known and unknown, on November 1st was introduced into the Church Liturgy by Pope John XI in 835, while All Souls’ Day on November 2nd began more than 100 years later in 998, when the Abbot of the Benedictine Monastery at Cluny ordered the Benedictine congregations to say the mass…