Archive for 'Culture'
History of the Wet Monday in Poland Posted by Kasia on Apr 3, 2018
Traditional Polish Easter lasts longer than here in US. There 2 days to celebrate, not one! Easter Sunday it’s called 1st Day Of The Holiday (Pierwszy Dzień Świąt) and Monday is called 2nd Day Of The Holiday (Drugi Dzień Świąt). Monday is a national holiday and is a day off from work. Wet Monday is…
My memories of coloring Easter eggs in Poland Posted by Kasia on Mar 31, 2018
Pisanki (Polish painted Easter eggs) comes from the Polish word “pisać”, which means to write. Originating as a pagan tradition, pisanki were absorbed by Christianity to become the traditional Easter eggs. Pisanki are now considered to symbolise the revival of nature and the hope that Christians gain from faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Coloring…
Drowning of the Marzanna in Poland Posted by Kasia on Mar 21, 2018
How do Poles welcome Spring? They burn the winter! Literally! It usually happens on March 21st. There is a good reason for drowning Marzanna (“Topienie Marzanny”)! Marzanna is a Slavic goddess associated with seasonal rites based on the idea of death and rebirth of nature. She is often described as a female demon associated with death…
International Day of Happiness – are people in Poland happy? Posted by Kasia on Mar 20, 2018
March 20th is an International Day of Happiness! It is an amazing movement for a happier world! The International Day of Happiness (Międzynarodowy Dzień Szczęścia) is celebrated worldwide every March 20th and was conceptualized and founded by philanthropist, activist, statesman, and prominent United Nations special advisor Jayme Illien to inspire, mobilize, and advance the global happiness…
Beautiful Bartek oak tree in Poland Posted by Kasia on Feb 26, 2018
“A tree is our most intimate contact with nature.” ― George Nakashima If you love trees (and who doesn’t?), you will be amazed by this beautiful tree! It grows in Zagnańsk near Kielce in the Świętorzyskie Mountains (Góry Świętokrzyskie). Its age, long estimated at up to 1200 years, has recently been determined more exactly, with a…
Walentynki, Walentynki! Posted by Kasia on Feb 13, 2018
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! It is a time of love, beautiful words, flowers and chocolate! Every year, countless couples across the world celebrate the day with their loved ones. In Poland people indulge in romantic dates, shower each other with roses, chocolate or various heart-shaped gifts, and exchange confessions of love (usually written in poems on a…
Poland goes nuts for doughnuts! Posted by Kasia on Feb 8, 2018
Fat Thursday marks the last Thursday before the start of the Lent. This last Thursday, prior to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, is one of the most important holidays, and it mainly revolves around eating as many doughnuts as possible, all in the name of good luck!!! Doughnuts are considered to bring people happiness…