Christmas in Poland

Martyna Skoczylas

Gimnazjum nr 2 im. św. Walentego w Bieruniu

Christmas is the most charming holiday in Poland, but there is a large variety of traditions in particular parts of our country. 

makówki

Catholics celebrate Christmas on December, 25^th  but Orthodox Christians celebrate it on January, 6^th. On Christmas Eve we eat a traditional supper including 12 dishes, but some people eat beetroot or fish soup and the others may eat mushroom or bean soup. There are many peculiar dishes that are prepared only once a year and depending on part of Poland you live in, you may wait all year long for “pierogi” (kind of dumplings) with sauerkraut or for noodles with poppy, sugar and honey. Some people love the groats with dried mushrooms, some adore sauerkraut with beans. In our region – Silesia, “makówki” (poppy seed bread pudding) is very popular. After Christmas Eve meal, it is time for singing carols and opening presents. Children believe that gifts are left under the Christmas tree by the Baby Christ, an angel, the Grandpa Frost or “Gwiazdor” . 

There are also a lot of common customs like the Advent, sharing a wafer, or the  midnight mess. Before Christmas we have the Advent. On four Advent’s Sundays we set fire to four candles on an Advent’s wreath. Christmas Eve supper usually starts when a first star appears on the sky; you shouldn’t forget about leaving one seat free for a stranger; then before eating, everyone share with each other wafer and say “Merry Christmas”. After eating, singing, and opening presents, exactly at midnight, the family goes to church.

Do you have in your country any special holidays?

If yes, how do you celebrate these holidays? 

Fonts: 

http://treningbiegacza.pl/uploads/media-library/ii-bieg-po-moczke-i-makowki-2.jpg
http://czterylewerecewkuchni.blogspot.com/2014/12/7-dzielenie-sie-opatkiem.html