Project Comenius - EPEITE This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Project Comenius - EPEITE The project is executed by students of the 2nd ‘D’ class at the Second High School in Jelenia Góra, Poland (Zespół Szkół Ogólnokształcących 2, Jelenia Góra) Reference professor Mr. Robert Zalewski Jelenia Góra, December 30th, 2011.

Christmas in Poland the Polish tradition

Christmas is the most important holiday in Poland Christmas is the most important holiday in Poland. These are spiritual and magical days.

The preparations for Christmas begin a few weeks before the Advent The preparations for Christmas begin a few weeks before the Advent. It is the time when people look for their serenity. It is not uncommon, even in our days, to see people who make sacrifices and abstain, for example, from alcohol or from sweets.

The period of Christmas in Poland lasts for 3 days - from 24th to 26th December but the most important day is the day before Christmas that is called Christmas Eve (‘Wigilia’), on December 24th.

Everyone gets up early and the last preparations begin Everyone gets up early and the last preparations begin. Children decorate a Christmas tree. Some use their own, handmade decorations - paper garlands or toys. We also decorate the tree with candies or with small sweets. The tree, according to our tradition, has to stay at home until the Epiphany, 6th January.

We always wait for the appearance of the first star to begin the Christmas Eve

We begin with a short prayer or we read the passage from the Bible concerning the birth of Jesus written by Saint Luke. Then we share the wafer (‘oplatek’) with each other - the unleavened bread, like at the communion – the symbol of peace and conciliation.

We put some hay (or straw) under the tablecloth in order to remember that Jesus was born in a manger in a cowshed. It is necessary to leave one empty plate and a set of cutlery in case of an unexpected guest.

The traditional menu consists of 12 dishes The traditional menu consists of 12 dishes. It is a varied and simple menu, it is always a day of deficiency???.

The main dishes are: - carp - herring

We also serve borscht (‘barszcz’) - a beetroot soup which is characterized by a deep red color); - pierogi (a bit like dumplings, their dough looks like a kind of ravioli stuffed with cabbage and mushrooms) ;

kutia (a mixture of poppy, walnut, honey, grains of wheat, grapes); pickled mushrooms;

- bigos cooked with cabbage (specifically sauerkraut), sausages, meat and dried mushrooms, - żurek (a sour barley soup, with cumin, mixture of vegetables (carrots, parsley). Hard-boiled eggs are added in the end of the cooking.

In Poland we also have cakes: - gingerbread (‘piernik’) which symbolizes the wealth; - keks (a kind of fruitcake with grapes, walnut and dried fruits). Hazelnuts symbolize the success, the variety of fruit symbolized the beauty and good health.

After the supper, children look for the presents that Santa Claus has left under the Christmas tree. We continue the evening by singing Christmas carols which will be present during the whole festive period.

For the Catholics, the Midnight Mass follows the Christmas Eve and is a must-do event. It is believed that people cannot clear the table. They should leave it until the next day as it is said that nothing will be missed in the following year.

December 25th The first day of Christmas, everybody usually stays at home and spend his/her time with family. We go to church to admire the Nativity scenes. The most beautiful and impressive ones are in Cracow (the former capital of Poland).

Joyeux Noel Merry Christmas Wesołych Świąt