Lent and Easter Lent and Easter traditions in Polandtraditions in Poland

The end of carnival and the The end of carnival and the beginning of Lentbeginning of Lent

Lent starts on Lent starts on Ash WednesdayAsh Wednesday but there are two but there are two celebrations preceding Lent which are worth mentioning. celebrations preceding Lent which are worth mentioning. The last Thursday of the carnival is The last Thursday of the carnival is called „Fat Thursday” called „Fat Thursday” aand Poles eat lots of nd Poles eat lots of doughnuts doughnuts (pączki) this day. (pączki) this day. CChrusthrust or or faworkifaworki are also popular this dayare also popular this day. . The carnival ends on The carnival ends on Shrove TuesdayShrove Tuesday known as known as „„śledź”śledź” - the "herring feast", after the herrings eaten on that day - the "herring feast", after the herrings eaten on that day as a herald of the coming Lent. as a herald of the coming Lent.

Palm SundayPalm Sunday It is It is celebrated to commemorate Christ's celebrated to commemorate Christ's

triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The main triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The main attribute associated with that day are the attribute associated with that day are the palmspalms. Despite the name, they hardly . Despite the name, they hardly resemble the real palm branches with resemble the real palm branches with which Jesus was greeted in the Holy City. which Jesus was greeted in the Holy City. Typically, they are bouquets of common Typically, they are bouquets of common box, dried flowers and willow twigs. Some box, dried flowers and willow twigs. Some regions are noted for particularly regions are noted for particularly impressive palms, several metrimpressive palms, several metrees high and s high and decorated with coloured ribbons, dyed decorated with coloured ribbons, dyed grasses, dried or artificial flowers. grasses, dried or artificial flowers. ItIt iis s believed that a palm blessed at a mass has believed that a palm blessed at a mass has special properties; for example, it can special properties; for example, it can prevent disease.prevent disease. Many competitions are Many competitions are also organized to build the highest or the also organized to build the highest or the most beautiful palm. most beautiful palm.

Holy WeekHoly Week Holy Thursday begins the Triduum - Holy Thursday begins the Triduum -

the time when many people gather in the time when many people gather in churches for masses and services of churches for masses and services of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Some places are Holy Saturday. Some places are especially famous for organizing the especially famous for organizing the Mysteries of the Passion of Christ Mysteries of the Passion of Christ (Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is probably (Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is probably the most popular among pilgrims the most popular among pilgrims every Good Friday). every Good Friday).

On Good Friday and Holy Saturday On Good Friday and Holy Saturday people also come to pray kneeling in people also come to pray kneeling in front of Tombs of Christfront of Tombs of Christ

On Friday before the Holy Week On Friday before the Holy Week people can also walk the stations of people can also walk the stations of the Cross in the streets of their cities. the Cross in the streets of their cities.

Blessing of Easter BasketsBlessing of Easter Baskets On On Holy SaturdayHoly Saturday people bring baskets of Easter f people bring baskets of Easter foodsoods to church for a to church for a

special blessing. This typically Polish tradition dates back to the 14th centuryspecial blessing. This typically Polish tradition dates back to the 14th century and and is is richly symbolic and beautiful.richly symbolic and beautiful. The The basket basket (called (called święconkaświęconka) usually ) usually containcontainss the followingthe following kinds of food kinds of food:: bbreadread ((a symbol of Christ's bodya symbol of Christ's body), ), eeggs ggs (symbolize (symbolize life's victory over deathlife's victory over death),), ssaltalt ((a life-giving mineral, once believed to keep away all a life-giving mineral, once believed to keep away all evilevil),), hamham ((ensures healthensures health and abundanceand abundance), ), hhorseradishorseradish ((a symbol of strengtha symbol of strength, , and also the bitterness of the suffering of Christ),a and also the bitterness of the suffering of Christ),a LambLamb (in Polish: Baranek – (in Polish: Baranek – symbolizes Christ) or a symbolizes Christ) or a bunnybunny (a symbol of fertility and rebirth). The food from the (a symbol of fertility and rebirth). The food from the basket is eaten after the Resurrection Mass – on Saturday evening or Sunday basket is eaten after the Resurrection Mass – on Saturday evening or Sunday morning, depending on the parish.morning, depending on the parish.

Easter SundayEaster Sunday

After the Resurrection Mass After the Resurrection Mass (usually on Sunday morning or (usually on Sunday morning or Saturday evening, depending on Saturday evening, depending on the parish) families gather to have the parish) families gather to have a special Easter breakfast. The a special Easter breakfast. The food that was blessed on Saturday food that was blessed on Saturday is eaten. Among typical Easter food is eaten. Among typical Easter food there is also for example a cake there is also for example a cake called „called „mazurekmazurek”. ”.

On this day children get presents On this day children get presents from the Bunny – if it is possible from the Bunny – if it is possible they have to look for them in the they have to look for them in the garden. garden.

Easter MondayEaster Monday

It is called ”Wet Monday” ot śmigus- dyngus in Polish. On this It is called ”Wet Monday” ot śmigus- dyngus in Polish. On this day boys pour water on girls or sprinkle them with water or day boys pour water on girls or sprinkle them with water or perfumes. Sometimes bucketfuls of water are used, sometimes perfumes. Sometimes bucketfuls of water are used, sometimes just symbolic quantites. It takes place in homes and on the just symbolic quantites. It takes place in homes and on the streets. There is a superstition that the girl who remains dry this streets. There is a superstition that the girl who remains dry this day will not have luck throughout the year. This custom dates day will not have luck throughout the year. This custom dates back to pagan times as a symbol of purification. back to pagan times as a symbol of purification.

HAPPY EASTER!HAPPY EASTER!

We hope you would like to visit Poland during Easter We hope you would like to visit Poland during Easter time. This was just a short presentation about the most time. This was just a short presentation about the most important traditions. There are some others, typical for important traditions. There are some others, typical for

some parts of our country.some parts of our country.

Prepared for the project Prepared for the project

4 SEASONS WITH ETWINNING 4 SEASONS WITH ETWINNING

by the group from Gimnazjum nr 14 in Ruda Śląskaby the group from Gimnazjum nr 14 in Ruda Śląska