About Poland

Page 21

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365 days and nights with a nation that loves to celebrate no matter the economic or historical circumstances 6 am March

April

8

Women’s Day (Dzień Kobiet) The most cherished leftover from the official communist calendar. Flower stalls spring up around cities to cater to the needs to men who want to surprise their wives, ­girlfriends or that lonely soul from the human resources department.

60 mm

12 pm

1

May April’s Fools’ Day (Prima Aprilis)

Easter (Wielkanoc) – Between March 22 and April 25, the first Sunday after the first full moon of Spring. Like Christmas, it is observed in ways that differ from home to home, depending on regional tradition and the level of engagement in religion. On ­Easter Monday be sure to wear wellingtons and a waterproof jacket. Not to protect yourself from the rain, but from the bucketfuls of water thrown at you. Wet Monday (Lany Poniedziałek) is a pagan tradition that has survived a thousand years of Christianity. Nobody remembers any more why, but you are supposed to get yourself and others wet.

1

Labour Day (Święto Pracy) Definitely a labour-less day.

3

Constitution Day (Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja) – An overture to summer holidays. If May 1 is on Tuesday and May 3 is on Thursday, a Pole can get a nine-day holiday just by taking three days off work.

In May there is the matura, the final exam and a rite of passage into adulthood for every ­educated Pole.

26

Mother’s Day (Dzień Matki) is a big thing in Poland and itovershadows ­Father’s Day (Dzień Ojca), June 23) completely. One can explain it by the fact that for centuries Polish fathers were distant figures – always at work or in the battlefield.

40 mm

21

The first day of spring, Observed as the unoffi­cial Truancy Day (Dzień Wagaro­ wicza) by pupils around the country. In most cases the celebration programme includes sneaking out of school, trying to get a beer, sharing a cigarette in the sun, then thinking of ways to get away with it. A truly formative experience.

6 pm

20 mm

first vegetables in spring season

strawberry season

white storks return from the south asparagus season


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