2019 European Parliament election Posted by Kasia on May 26, 2019
European Parliament elections came to a close today! They not only determine the make-up of the next EU assembly and help decide who ends up running top European institutions but can also play back into the national politics of the bloc’s 28 member states. The European Parliament (Europejski Parlament) is the only EU institution whose…
Are the saints to blame for the cold snap in May in Poland? Posted by Kasia on May 15, 2019
St Pancras is a member of a trio known as the Ice Saints. The others are St Servatius and St Mamertus. Their chilly collective name comes from the traditional belief that their days, 11th, 12th and 13th of May, bring cold weather and the last frost of the year. It was noted that there was…
Horse racing history in Poland Posted by Kasia on May 6, 2019
Since Kentucky Derby just happened and my daughters absolutely love horses, I decided to get you a little bit more familiar with horse racing (wyścigi konne) in Poland. Our ancestors raced since they got on the horse, but probably not for sport, but rather hunting or in the heat of battle, when the rider’s life…
Does alcohol really improve your foreign language skills? Posted by Kasia on Apr 30, 2019
Learning a foreign language can make you smarter, build multitasking and decision-making skills, ward off Alzheimer’s, improve memory, and much more. It is easier to travel and meet new people in other country if you can have a conversation in their native language, right? Lots of people say they speak a foreign language (obcy język)…
What is so amazing about Krzyżtopór Castle in Poland? Posted by Kasia on Apr 24, 2019
It is definitely one of the hardest polish words to spell: Krzyżtopór! But don’t let this discourage you! From afar, it looks truly monumental. The kind of castle in which you expect to find a dragon in the cellar! A magical point on the map of Poland, that it lacks the publicity of Malbork or Wawel…
Good Friday traditions in Poland Posted by Kasia on Apr 19, 2019
Easter is almost here! In Poland the last week of Lent, Holy Week, is known as Wielki Post or Wielki Tydzień. During this week Polish families prepare their homes for Easter. Traditionally there is spring cleaning, shopping, baking and cooking for the Easter feast. Many churches in Poland observe Good Friday (Wielki Piątek), which is the Friday…
Why are Polish teachers on strike? Posted by Kasia on Apr 9, 2019
Teachers (nauczyciele) in Poland went on an indefinite nationwide strike over pay Monday after the government failed to meet union demands during days of negotiations. The strike (strajk) by teachers of kindergarten all the way up through the final year of high school is the first such widespread work stoppage in Poland’s classrooms since a…