Archive for 'Culture'
Fat Thursday – Tłusty Czwartek Posted by Kasia on Mar 3, 2011
Today is Fat Thursday in Poland! “Tłusty Czwartek” is a traditional Polish feast, which is celebrated on the last Thursday before the beginning of the Lent, marking the last week of Carnival. Poles usually meet with their friends and eat a large amount of sweets – most popular are “pączki” – donuts filled with various filling…
Polish accent Posted by Kasia on Feb 17, 2011
Don’t you wonder how the English, Americans or others, even foreigners (obcokrajowcy), non native speakers of English, can easily recognize a Pole as a Pole even though he speaks (what he believes is) English. Your grammar (gramatyka) is perfect (or so you think), your Polish vocabulary (słownictwo) immaculate and nonetheless, there is no denying it…
Walentynki Posted by Kasia on Feb 11, 2011
Valentine’s Day (Walentynki) 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. Romantic Poles (romantyczni Polacy) were very quick in adopting Valentines Day and nowadays it as popular…
Polskie piwo Posted by Kasia on Jan 28, 2011
Poland may not be one of the first countries to come to mind when thinking of beer, but it does have much in this sphere to warrant attention. It combines elements of the Czech, German and British traditions and even has a unique style of its own, the intriguing and obscure grodziskie beer (piwo grodziskie)…
Health and exercise Posted by Kasia on Jan 20, 2011
We all know how important healthy lifestyle is. Unfortunately, according to the report “Bridging East – West health Gap”, Poles are among the least physically active societies in Europe. Only 3 to 10 % of Poles (depending on age group) show sufficient physical activity. We need more active lifestyle and sport! Not only does stationary…
Epiphany – Święto Trzech Króli Posted by Kasia on Jan 7, 2011
Recently one of my friends asked me what does the K + M + B means on people’s door? She said she has noticed these 3 letters written in white chalk on Polish houses front door, usually in January. That’s why I decide to write about Epiphany – a religious holiday celebrated on January 6th…
Sexual minorities and tolerance in Poland Posted by Kasia on Dec 31, 2010
Though much has changed in the past 20 years, from those days when any subject to do with gender or sexual preferences was either never brought up or even taboo, Poland is unfortunately still far from being a tolerant country towards people who are perhaps different in their preferences or tastes. The current political climate…