Polish Language Blog
Menu
Search

Zapraszamy na ostatki! Posted by on Feb 28, 2014 in Uncategorized

The raucous annual revelry of Carnival in Brazil and Mardi Gras in New Orleans are legendary and widely imitated. However, lesser-known celebrations have taken place for generations in other parts of the world, particularly in those countries where Christian traditions have made the 40 days before Easter a time of extreme sacrifice and solemnity.

The last days of Carnival are called “Ostatki” in Poland. This is a time of celebration, the last chance to dance, eat meat, pastries and other rich foods and alcohol before the beginning of Lent.

Here is Polish poem about ostatki:

 

Ostatki

Moje drogie dziatki,

dzisiaj są Ostatki.

Więc suknię wyciągamy

i na bal się wybieramy..

Wie to Dama, wie i dziedzic,

dziś na stoły wjeżdża ŚLEDZIK

Śledzik w occie i w śmietanie,

śledzik jako główne danie!

Śledź w oleju i w przyprawach

bo dziś kończy się karnawał!

Trzeba śledzia skonsumować,

aby potem nie żałować,

że przespało się ostatki,

jedzmy śledzie więc bez gadki!

A że rybka pływać lubi

i bez płynów drogę gubi,

powiem teraz bardzo krótko –

trzeba śledzika popić wódką!

A na balu dużo jemy

i tańczymy i pijemy,

chociaż będzie boleć głowa.

Jutro Środa Popielcowa.

A od Środy Popielcowej,

aż do Niedzieli Palmowej

czterdzieści dni będziemy pościć,

więc się warto dziś ugościć.

My dear children,

Today is Shrove Tuesday.

So I’m taking the dress out

and we are getting ready for the ball

lady and heir know about it,

today Herring is served

Herring in vinegar and sour cream,

herring as the main dish!

Herring in oil and spices

because today carnival ends!

You need to consume herring,

so you do not regret

that slept through the shrove,

So let’s eat herring without saying!

And because fish likes to swim

and without fluid path is lost,

Now I say very briefly –

you need to wash down herring with vodka!

And at the dance we eat much

and dance and drink,

although there will be a headache .

Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday.

And since Ash Wednesday,

until Palm Sunday

forty days we fast,

So it’s worth to have fun today.

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

Keep learning Polish with us!

Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Try it Free Find it at your Library
Share this:
Pin it

About the Author: Kasia

My name is Kasia Scontsas. I grew near Lublin, Poland and moved to Warsaw to study International Business. I have passion for languages: any languages! Currently I live in New Hampshire. I enjoy skiing, kayaking, biking and paddle boarding. My husband speaks a little Polish, but our daughters are fluent in it! I wanted to make sure that they can communicate with their Polish relatives in our native language. Teaching them Polish since they were born was the best thing I could have given them! I have been writing about learning Polish language and culture for Transparent Language’s Polish Blog since 2010.


Comments:

  1. Paul Kline:

    Do you know of a Polish translation of T. S. Eliot’s Ash Wednesday?
    Many thanks.