Polish and Italian calendar

by Martyna Skoczylas
Gimnazjum nr 2 im. św. Walentego w Bieruniu

     My stay in Sicily, during the project, was an excellent opportunity to get interested in Italian traditions. I’ve discovered that there are many holidays in Italy which are celebrated in similar way as in Poland. However, I’ve found also some differences. I’d like to present you my personal overview of calendar and some holidays which are present in both cultures.




January – February - March
     In Poland we’ve got Grandma’s and Grandpa’s Days (January 21st and 22nd ).
It isn’t known why those exact dates were chosen. They haven’t got an extensive tradition in Poland, they’ve been celebrated for 30 years. In Italy both days are marked on October 2nd, when the Church commemorates Guardian Angels. It seems to be a good solution as grandparents are like Angels for their grandchildren. 

April – May – June
     In spring time, Easter is the most significant. Both Italian and Polish children are pleased to find chocolate eggs hidden around home or garden. In Poland we’ve got a unique custom of pouring girls with water – Śmigus-Dingus on Monday, after Easter (Wet Monday). On that day boys try to pour girls with water, getting very wet on that day promises soon marriage and luck.
     On the second Sunday of May in Italy, as in many countries around the world, Mother’s Day is celebrated, in Poland it is always on 26th  of May. In Italy there is no Children’s Day, in Poland it is on 1st of June.

poznan.naszemiasto.com

July – August – September
     In June, Palermo honours its patron saint Rosalie. At night on 14th/15th of June  there is a colourful procession, watched by crowds of citizens and tourists. Black Angels – the embodiment of plague – appear first, then the carriage with St. Rosalie comes, she saved the town from the epidemic catastrophe.
     In September in our town, we’ve got the Days of Bieruń, we also take part in a colourful parade, children and teenagers are in fancy dresses. But the patron day is celebrated on 14th of February, there is a huge fair with sweets and toys.

October – November – December
     On 2nd of November there is a day to remember people who passed away. In Poland, it is serious, full of pensiveness day, when we visit the graves with flowers and candles. In Sicily, it is called Fiesta dei Morti , which means ‘The Festival of Death’. Children are keen on it, as they can find some sweets or small gifts by their beds in the morning. The presents are obviously left by their departed family members. Among the sweets, frutta di martorana can be found, the little biscuits, which are made with almond flower, they can have various shapes, but they are frequently in form of fruits or vegetables. Another sweet is called crozzi i mottu – the bones of the dead – have a look at the photo.

www.madeinparma.com

     I’m really curious, what the opinion of project participants from other countries is. Was there anything surprising in my article? Do you have similar way of celebrating? Write in comments, as it will complete the text in a valuable manner. Thank you Giussy for information about Italian holidays.