Discover Poland: traditions, surprises and culinary delights!

Discover Poland: traditions, surprises and culinary delights!

Poland is a country that combines ancient traditions with modern elements. Travelers have the opportunity to experience many surprises that the country has to offer. Church weddings in Poland have the same legal force as civil weddings, which is important for many couples. Poland also has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine: Polish borscht, a light beetroot broth, is often served with dumplings and can even be bought from coffee machines.

Another interesting detail is that Poland has a good care system for pets. There are water bowls and dog waste bags in front of shops to make life with pets easier. However, the country also faces challenges such as so-called winter smog caused by outdated heating systems that run on coal and wood.

Surprising rituals and celebrations

A distinctive custom in Poland is the minute's silence for the Warsaw Uprising on August 1st at 5:00 p.m., which is intended to honor the dignity of the heroes. During many religious holidays, shops and cafes are closed and the streets appear deserted. Sunday is a day of rest for most businesses as many Poles practice their faith in church.

Polish cuisine is characterized by large portions and rich dishes. This explains why the restaurants are often busy. In cinemas, films are usually shown in the original with Polish subtitles, which further enriches the cultural experience. Travelers benefit from cheap travel options in the country, such as buses and trains, with flights within Europe starting from just 1 euro.

Traditions and holidays

The holidays, which are deeply rooted in Polish culture, are particularly significant. Christmas, or Boże Narodzenie, is celebrated in Poland on December 24th. A central element of the traditional Christmas meal, Wigilia, is the sharing of wafers (Opłatek) with good wishes. The menu includes twelve meatless dishes, including carp and beetroot soup (Barszcz).

Easter season (Wielkanoc) begins a week before with Palm Sunday, when colorful palm branches are brought to church. On Holy Saturday, Easter dishes (Święconka) are brought to the blessing, which are eaten together on Easter Sunday. A fun custom is Śmigus-Dyngus, also known as “Wet Monday,” when people splash water on each other.

Another important holiday is All Saints' Day (Wszystkich Świętych) on November 1st. Here people remember their deceased relatives. The focus is particularly on cleaning and decorating graves with flowers and candles.

Traditions are of great importance in Poland. Name days (Imieniny) often have more significance than birthdays. Weddings (Wesela) usually begin with a church ceremony and last several days, including the Oczepiny midnight ceremony.

Overall, Poland offers a variety of traditions and a vibrant culture that attracts both locals and travelers. These cultural facets can be seen not only in festivities but also in everyday life, from cuisine to holiday customs.

In Warsaw, for example, an artificial palm tree is a popular meeting place and represents a fascinating art project. At the same time, Polish emergency vehicles are loud enough to attract the attention of drivers, which is often considered necessary in cities.

Polish society is characterized not only by its deep-rooted traditions, but also by current social developments, such as the record-low unemployment rate, which is partly due to the influence of migrants.