Christmas in Poland



Carp - one of the traditional Christmas Eve's dishes



Perhaps the most important holiday in Poland is Christmas.  Many customs, ceremonies and beliefs centre around Christmas Eve (24 December), a special day in Polish homes. An important element contributing to its atmosphere are the Christmas decorations, such as Christmas tree. Traditionally, Christmas Eve dinner begins when the first star appears in the sky. First, the family wish one another all the best for the new year and, as a sign of reconciliation, love, friendship and peace, share 'opłatek' (Christmas wafer symbolising holy bread). The Christmas Eve dinner is made of twelve dishes. As it is the last day of Advent, there is no meat. This is also a day when Santa Claus is visiting Polish homes.

'opłatek'

Christmas fair





A crib in Torun (a scene presenting the Nativity of Jesus baby)



Poland does not have, as many people think, an extremely cold climate. Summers can be very hot (up to 35° C) and humid, while in winter it can be very cold, even - 20° C, but it is not very usual. The normal winter temperature is about – 5° C and usually there is a lot of snow. Unfortunately winter days are not very sunny and they are very short – at 4 o’clock in the afternoon in December it is completely dark!

Żubr – the Polish bison