Full Answer
What is the most important holiday in Poland?
How many dishes do Poles have?
Does Poland sing Christmas carols?
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Why do Polish celebrate on Christmas Eve?
Midnight Mass - At midnight following Christmas Eve many Poles attend the Midnight Mass to commemorate the prayers of shepherds on their way to Bethlehem.
Why do Polish celebrate on 24th?
Many Poles wait until the first star appears in the sky before sitting down to eat on 24th December. This tradition commemorates the Star of Bethlehem, which according to the New Testament guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of Christ.
Why is Christmas celebrated on the 24th?
The countries who celebrate on December 24 are predominantly Christian, too, and a Christian liturgical day always starts and ends at sunset each day. Therefore, Jesus is considered to have been born at 5pm on December 24, meaning his birthday ends on the same time on December 25.
What is Christmas Eve in Polish?
Wigilia (Polish pronunciation: [vʲiˈɡʲilja]) is the traditional Christmas Eve vigil supper in Poland, held on December 24.
Why do Polish not eat meat on Christmas Eve?
The meal is traditionally meat free, this is to remember the animals who took take of the baby Jesus in the manger. Everyone has to eat or at least try some of each dish.
How does Christmas Eve begin in Poland?
In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day first of fasting, then of feasting. The Wigilia feast begins at the appearance of the first star. There is no red meat served but fish, usually carp. The supper, which includes many traditional dishes and desserts can sometimes last for over two hours.
Should Christmas be on the 24th or 25th?
For Western Christian churches, Christmas Day always occurs on December 25, though some cultures observe the main celebration on the night prior, Christmas Eve.
Is Christmas celebrated on 24th or 25th?
Christmas, the holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated by a majority of Christians on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar.
Who celebrates Christmas December 24?
Greenland. Christmas in Greenland is usually celebrated on December 24th in the evening and on the 25th during the day.
Do Polish people open presents on Christmas Eve?
Christmas presents in Polish households are usually opened on Christmas Eve after dinner. We don't usually open presents on Christmas Day unless you were visiting somebody's house on the 25th and then would open up those presents then. But for most the day to open gifts is Christmas Eve in the evening.
Do Polish people eat fish on Christmas Eve?
There is no exaggeration in stating that carp is a culinary symbol of Polish Christmas Eve. On this day, Poles usually eat the fish fried in batter or breadcrumbs, served cold in a jelly, or simmered with sweet seasonings – the so-called Jewish carp recipe. At times the fish is also served with a typical gray gravy.
What do Polish call Santa?
Gwiazdor (Starman) He keeps an eye on everyone and gives out presents as well as rods - rewards for bad behaviour!
What is 24th celebration?
United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter.
Who celebrates on the 24th?
In most parts of Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Switzerland, presents are traditionally exchanged on the evening of 24 December. Children are commonly told that presents were brought either by the Christkind (German for Christ child), or by the Weihnachtsmann.
What are special days in Poland?
Public holidaysDateEnglish NameRemarks15 AugustAssumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryThis is also Polish Armed Forces Day (Święto Wojska Polskiego), celebrating the battle of Warsaw in 1920 (Cud nad Wisłą).1 NovemberAll Saints' Day11 NovemberIndependence Day25 DecemberChristmas Day9 more rows
What is the most important day in Poland?
11th November – Independence Day – it marks the independence of the Polish state after 123 years of rule by Austria, Russia and Prussia as a consequence of three partitions in 1772, 1793 and 1795.
Polish Christmas Traditions | Poland Unraveled
Christmas in Poland. If you’re reading this content that means that you’re, either preparing yourself for the upcoming Christmas season and you don’t want to get surprised by Polish celebrations, or you’re just using your mobile phone in the middle of the Christmas dinner because you saw so many “weird” things and you were asked so many different questions, that Poland Unraveled is ...
Why did Detroit area kids of Polish extraction feel superior?
In my recollection, many Detroit area kids of Polish extraction felt superior because unlike their Heinz 57 classmates they got their presents right after the Wigilia supper.
What is Christmas Eve?
Well, Christmas Eve is Christmas to us, full stop. You find your presents under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, as the three wise men brought gifts to the newborn Jesus. Christmas Eve is the evening of His birth, and Midnight Mass celebrates that birth. So Christmas celebrations culminate with that Mass.
What was served at the Mass after Mass?
After Mass, we returned to the party.. Now the ham (Szynks) and Kielbasa was served. Back to the drinking and singing until daybreak
Did they serve meat at midnight?
Since we had to fast until midnight ,no meat was served.
Do grandparents drink alcohol at Christmas?
About 40% declared that alcohol (mostly wine) was allowed at Christmas dinner, but in moderation. When asked if their grandparents drank on this day 100% said no.
Is Christmas celebrated in Poland?
Like in most Central European countries, Christmas in Poland is a quaint and much-beloved affair. However, while Germanic traditions, like decorating trees, have spread so far as to be unsurprising, Polish customs remain delightfully distinctive.
Does Poland have Christmas carols?
Poland really loves its Christmas carols. And there are thousands of them. One even nearly became the national anthem. Here’s a quick look at the history of the genre and its most popular examples.
When are Christmas carols celebrated in Poland?
Christmas carols are not celebrated in Poland until during-and-after the Christmas Vigil Mass called " Pasterka " held between 24 and 25 of December. The Christmas season often runs until February 2. The early hymns sung in the Catholic church were brought to Poland by the Franciscan Brothers in the Middle Ages. The early Christmas music was Latin in origin. When the Polish words and melodies started to become popular, including many new secular pastorals (pastoralka, or shepherd's songs), they were not written down originally, but rather taught among people by heart. Notably, the song " God Is Born " ( Bóg się rodzi) with lyrics written by Franciszek Karpiński in 1792 became the Christmas hymn of Poland already in the court of King Stefan Batory. Many of the early Polish carols were collected in 1838 by Rev. Mioduszewski [ ca; eo; pl] in a book called Pastorałki i Kolędy z Melodiami (Pastorals and Carols with Melodies).
What is the main food of Poland on Christmas Eve?
Carp provides a main component of the Christmas Eve meal across Poland; carp fillet, carp in aspic and gefilte fish. Universal Polish Christmas foods are pierogi as well as some herring dishes, and for dessert, makowiec or noodles with poppy seed. Often, there is a compote of dry fruits for a drink.
What is the Little Star's role in Christmas?
In some areas of the country, children are taught that "The Little Star" brings gifts. As presents are unwrapped, carollers may walk from house to house receiving treats along the way.
What is the name of the little star on Christmas Eve?
On the night of Christmas Eve, so important is the appearance of the first star in remembrance of the Star of Bethlehem, that it has been given an affectionate name of "the little star" or Gwiazdka (the female counterpart of St. Nicholas). On that evening, children watch the sky anxiously hoping to be the first to cry out, "The star has come!" Only after it appears, the family members sit down to a dinner table.
What is the name of the Christmas tree that is lit on Christmas Eve?
Traditionally, they are decorated and lit on Christmas Eve – Wigilia. Among the special tasks carried out in private homes during Advent (a time of waiting for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus) is the baking of the Christmas piernik (gingerbread), and the making of Christmas decorations.
What is the origin of Christmas?
The observance of Christmas developed gradually over the centuries, beginning in ancient times; combining old Polish pagan customs with the religious ones introduced after the Christianization of Poland by the Catholic Church. Later influences include the mutual permeating of local traditions and various folk cultures.
What is the nativity scene?
Nativity scene ( szopka) by Bronisław Pięcik, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Christmas Eve Supper. Traditional Christmas Day dinner serving of bigos on December 25. Christmas markets are held in every major city, especially in Kraków (pictured) Nativity scene at the Catholic Church of Christ the King in Sanok.
What is the most important holiday in Poland?
Christmas Eve and Christmas are one of the most important family holidays in Poland. There are many traditions and customs during this special holiday. Traditional carp, a Christmas tree with apples, and carols from house to house…
How many dishes do Poles have?
Many Polish people try to have 12 dishes on the table. It should be 12 according to the number of apostles or months in the year. Most of the dishes served are cooked specifically for this special day, and only once a year. The preparation of the traditional dishes takes a lot of time. Many restaurants and shops offer Christmas meals, but Poles still prefer to cook traditional family recipes as it always tastes better. Some specific dishes may differ from various regions, but many of them are universal. Sometimes you will find a free seat at the table. It is left for relatives or travelers. Poles believe that no one should be alone during the holiday. Therefore, they invite friends or neighbors who have no one to have dinner with.
Does Poland sing Christmas carols?
Poland really loves its Christmas carols. And there are thousands of them. One even nearly became the national anthem. According to a recent survey from Polish National Radio, nearly 80% of Poles sing carols at the Christmas dinner table, which goes to show how popular these songs really are. This widespread admiration for carols isn’t something new or recent, but rather a continuation of a state that began hundreds of years ago.
