Polish Festivals & Traditions
During festivals you can hear traditional music and see traditional dances being performed. Here are some musicians playing traditional Polish music:
Traditional Clothes
Hejnał
The hejnał is a five-note tune which is played every hour on the hour from the highest tower of St. Mary's Church. It is said that long ago a trumpeter was trying to warn the residents of the city that the city was under attack. He was shot and died before he could finish the tune. Ever since then the tune breaks off before the end.
The hejnał is a five-note tune which is played every hour on the hour from the highest tower of St. Mary's Church. It is said that long ago a trumpeter was trying to warn the residents of the city that the city was under attack. He was shot and died before he could finish the tune. Ever since then the tune breaks off before the end.
Special Days During the Year
Grandmother's Day
Grandfather's Day
Women's Day
Marzanna
April Fools' Day
April Fools' Day is celebrated on the first of April. People play tricks on each other.
May Day
Constitution Day
Constitution Day is celebrated on the 3rd of May. It marks the signing of the Polish Constitution in 1791. There are parades and celebrations around the country.
Constitution Day is celebrated on the 3rd of May. It marks the signing of the Polish Constitution in 1791. There are parades and celebrations around the country.
Children’s Day
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is celebrated on the 26th of May. Children give their mothers little presents and cards.
Mother's Day is celebrated on the 26th of May. Children give their mothers little presents and cards.
Father's Day
Father's Day is celebrated on the 23rd of June. Children give their fathers little presents and cards.
Father's Day is celebrated on the 23rd of June. Children give their fathers little presents and cards.
Name Days
Names Days are a bit like birthdays. Every name has a date allocated to it. When it is your Name Day you bring in sweets and cakes to share with your classmates. Sometimes you'll see a notice on the bus to tell you which name day is on that day. People sing sto lat to celebrate the person's name day.
Names Days are a bit like birthdays. Every name has a date allocated to it. When it is your Name Day you bring in sweets and cakes to share with your classmates. Sometimes you'll see a notice on the bus to tell you which name day is on that day. People sing sto lat to celebrate the person's name day.
Corpus Christi
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Corpus Christi falls on the 9th Thursday after Easter. It is a public holiday. In Kraków there is a procession in the streets with banners and holy pictures. People wear traditional clothes. Mass is said in Rynek Główny. |
The Lajkonik (Little Horse) dances through the streets of Kraków eight days after Corpus Christi. The rider swings a mace from side to side. Getting hit by the mace is supposed to bring good luck. This traditions is supposed to have come from the time the Tatars attacked the city. The Polish army defeated them and one of the soldiers dressed up in the uniform and rode triumphantly into the city to the delight of the inhabitants. |
Midsummer's Eve
Long ago on Midsummer's Eve bonfires were lit and young men jumped over the flames. Young women made garlands of flowers. They put a candle on the garland and floated it down the river. The boy who found the garland was supposed to be the young man they would marry.
Long ago on Midsummer's Eve bonfires were lit and young men jumped over the flames. Young women made garlands of flowers. They put a candle on the garland and floated it down the river. The boy who found the garland was supposed to be the young man they would marry.
The Feast of the Assumption
All Saints' Day & All Souls' Day
Independence Day
On the 11th of November Polish people celebrate Independence Day with parades.
On the 11th of November Polish people celebrate Independence Day with parades.
Andrzejki
Andrzej's name day is on the 30th of November. People play games to find out their fortunes for the following year. They melt wax and pour it through the hole of a large key and into a basin of cold water. Then you pick up the wax shape you've made and look at the shadow it casts on the wall. You use that to predict your fortune for the following year. Look at the examples below and try to predict what their fortunes will be:
Andrzej's name day is on the 30th of November. People play games to find out their fortunes for the following year. They melt wax and pour it through the hole of a large key and into a basin of cold water. Then you pick up the wax shape you've made and look at the shadow it casts on the wall. You use that to predict your fortune for the following year. Look at the examples below and try to predict what their fortunes will be: