POLISH CUSTOMS

CHRISTMAS EVE• December 24• the day before the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ• decorating the Christmas tree• ceremonial dinner with a family after the appearance of the first star in the sky• sharing the Christmas wafer• putting hay under the tablecloth• 12 dishes -> strict fast (only fish, no meat)• singing Christmas carols• giving each other presents• going to midnight Mass in the Church

VALENTINE’S DAY• February 14• day of people who are in love• named after St. Valentinus• sending greeting cards and gifts• dating

EASTER• around April• commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ• painting Easter eggs• the blessing of Easter baskets by the parish priest on Holy Saturday• Easter morning Mass at 6 o’clock (The Rezurekcja)• Easter breakfast with family (eggs, bread, salt, pepper, sausage)• smigus-dyngus (Wet Monday)• symbols -> lamb and rabbit

MAY-3rd-CONSTITUTION DAY

• we celebrate the first Polish Constitution in 1791

• people march solemnly to the Presidential Palace in Warsaw

• Polish president puts flowers at the monument of Prince Joseph Poniatowski in Warsaw

• before the president's speech 21 salvos are fired

• President delivers a speech

MOTHER’S DAY FATHER’S DAY

CHILDREN’S DAY GRANDMA’S DAY

GRANDPA’S DAY

MAY 26 JUNE 23

JUNE 1JANUARY 21

JANUARY 22

ALL SAINT’S DAY• November 1• visiting cemeteries with family• lighting candles on the graves of our ancestors

INDEPENDENCE DAY• Polish festival, celebrated every year on

November 11• it is to commemorate the anniversary of the

independence of the Polish Nation• it is a day off from work• main celebrations, attended by senior state

officials, are held at Pilsudski Square in Warsaw

ST. ANDREW’S DAY• on the night of 29 to 30 November• evening of magic and customs• superstitious belief exists that the night before St. Andrew's Day is especially suitable for magic that reveals a young woman's future husband

NEW YEAR’S EVE(SYLWESTER)

• night of December 31• celebrating the end of the old year and the beginning of a new• parties and receptions• toasts and fireworks

These are a few of our customs.Thank you for watching!