Śmigus-dyngus (Wet Monday)

    Don’t be surprised if you’re in Poland on Easter Monday and randomly get doused with water on the street. 

    Śmigus-dyngus (also called Wet Monday) dates back to the Middle Ages and initially involved only girls being sprayed with water by boys. 

    Today everyone can take part and use sophisticated tools such as water guns and garden hoses.

    The Drowning of Marzanna

    On the first day of spring, many school children in Poland take dolls they have made from old clothes, hay, sticks and straw, and throw them down the river, sometimes even lighting them on fire.  These Marzanna dolls are sacrificed to end the winter and welcome the spring. 

    To avoid any bad luck, you must be careful not to touch the Marzanna doll while she is in the water. On the way back, you must also not look back towards where the Marzanna doll is, as this is rumoured to cause illness or disease.

Twelve Dishes on Christmas Eve (Wigilia)

    If you happen to be in Poland over the Christmas period, there is a tradition known as Wigilia. This involves twelves dishes being served (one to represent every disciple) and shared by the family. 

    None of the dishes can contain meat, none can be the same, and some of the dishes are cooked only on this day. Many families also leave out an extra plate on Christmas Eve, for the ‘unexpected visitor’ that might arrive. Although there is no meat, Polish fish dishes often make up part of Wigilia.

Sto Lat, a birthday blessing

     Poland might well be the only country in the world where everyone wishes their friends to live for ‘100 years’ on every birthday. This tradition occurs every time somebody has a birthday.

     In Poland, no-one would dream of wishing their friend a good year on their birthday. Why? Because one year is not nearly enough. It is a Polish tradition to offer the birthday boy or girl 100 years of good wishes, good health and long life.

Fat Thursday (Tłusty Czwartek)

    On the final Thursday before Lent each year, Polish people celebrate Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday).  On this day, all over Poland, people eat their favourite sweet and sugary snacks.  

Normally the Polish eat Pączki on this day. Pączki are Polish-style doughnuts normally filled with rose or raspberry jam. 

    Another popular treat that the Polish love to eat on Fat Thursday are Faworki, which are pieces of fried pastry dipped in a sugary coating.