Archive for 'Culture'
The order of celebrating Christmas Holidays Posted by Kasia on Dec 7, 2012
We do not celebrate Thanksgiving (Święto Dziękczynienia) in Poland, so there is not any special day, such as the day after Thanksgiving, that marks the beginning of the Christmas season as in America. Poles do not really start celebrating Christmas until Christmas Eve, but then the Christmas season in Poland finishes much later than in America…
Christmas Spirit over the years Posted by Kasia on Dec 6, 2012
The Christmas Spirit (Duch Bożego Narodzenia) has always been strong among the Polish people. Even in the harshest and most dismal of times it has been present in their hearts. In this 21st century land, we should remember that in the old days, poverty was more widespread. But even the poorest Polish families, in Poland…
Polish Santa Claus visits twice Posted by Kasia on Dec 2, 2012
So, is it true that the Polish Santa Claus visits twice? Yes, it is true! Let me explain. December 6th is St. Nicolaus day (Mikołajki or Dzień Świętego Mikołaja), and traditionally it’s been a day when people give their children small gifts. But only those who’d behaved themselves, obviously. Santa Claus for most people in Poland will…
Old Good Marriage Posted by Kasia on Nov 29, 2012
It is probably very hard to invent a good name for a band. I do not know what made those musicians to go for such a name, but it proved to fit them well! They have been together for ages, still entertaining new generation of Poles who love poetry… who even love to sing the…
Polish Thanksgiving Posted by Kasia on Nov 24, 2012
Thanksgiving Day, celebrated in the US on the fourth Thursday of November is obviously not a Polish-rooted holiday, but it has been eagerly observed by Poles since way back.The word ‘Thanksgiving’ was probably too much of a mouthful for many Polish peasant immigrants of the day, so to make things easier someone started calling it…
Bolek i Lolek Polish cartoon Posted by Kasia on Nov 18, 2012
I remember this cartoon from my childhood! The two characters – that children all around Poland know and whose stories they read and watch – have been created in Bielsko-Biała. Of all the animated series, “Bolek and Lolek” was number one among all-time favorite animated cartoons long time ago. The names of the two characters comes…
Maternity leave in Poland Posted by Kasia on Nov 9, 2012
I have 2 little girls and friends with little kids. They always ask me about maternity leave in Poland. My kids were born in USA, but I gathered some information about it from my Polish friends – moms that have definitely better maternity leave conditions than moms in USA… European labour law legislations provide for…