Christmas Holiday Traditions In Poland
Many traditions and customs originate from christianity.
Christmas holiday traditions in poland. 25th december christmas day holiday. Poland is a predominately catholic nation and many traditions revolve around church services fasting and other religious customs. Christmas in poland is a major annual celebration as in most countries of the christian world. Whether it s making gingerbread or browsing holiday markets there s no better time than christmas in poland to get a glimpse of polish hospitality and slavic traditions.
Christmas eve dinner starts in the late afternoon or in the evening depending on a family some people visit 2 or even more families during christmas eve having 2 or more dinners. Although there are some traditions that developed just in poland and have nothing to do with religion. 24th december christmas eve the day when christians await the birth of jesus though one of the most important moments in polish tradition christmas eve is a working day. Christmas is one of the most important religious holidays in poland with christmas eve taking precedence over christmas day but christmas preparations begin four weeks before dec.
Traditions family and food christmas eve in poland wigilia december 24christmas eve dinner kolacja wigilijna is the most important christmas celebration in poland. Here are my favorite polish christmas traditions. As you might know poland is a very religious country. 26th december feast of st.
The christmas tree is not a polish custom but many decades ago it replaced for good the native tradition of placing a sheaf of straw in the room during the holiday season. Combining old polish pagan customs with the religious ones introduced after the christianization of poland by the catholic church later influences include mutual permeating of local traditions and various. From street fairs to the midnight mass poland stays true to its roots during the holidays. The observance of christmas developed gradually over the centuries beginning in ancient times.
Polish christmas traditions the handy guide to indulge in polish christmas live religious aspect of christmas in poland. It is worth knowing however that poles have different opinions about what decoration should be placed on the top of the christmas tree. In the old days people fasted for advent homes were cleaned from top to bottom grudges were forgotten and the birth of the christ child was eagerly anticipated.