Christmas in Poland

Hi there! How are you? Everything okay? 

Today I decided to write a little bit about Christmas in Poland.

Why? Because Christmas are already in 10 days! God.. how time flies! It's been a year since the previous Christmas, and it seems like it was just a few weeks ago! I think that Christmas traditions in Poland are interesting and today will be just about them. On the radio for a week are Christmas songs, in shops are Christmas decorations, in cities are already dressed Christmas trees ... all of this made me already in the Christmas mood. 

So, how we spend these special days in Poland?

BEFORE CHRISTMAS

For days in advance, people prepares the traditional foods and decorations. In Poland the stores are really busy and crowded before Christmas, everyone want to buy gifts for their friends and family. At every corner street are shiny bulbs, stars, sparkles and all kinds of decorations. Cities are full of their Christmas atmosphere. Before the Christmas Eve the family puts decorstions on a Christmas tree.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Cgristmas Eve is the most holy and meaningful day of the year in Poland.
It's a day of waiting for a Santa Claus and day of celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. 

In Polish this day is calleh "Wigilia". Early in the day, the family start preparing the meal, which traditionally consists of twelve meatless dishes, and includes many kinds of fish, beet or mushroom soup, various dishes from cabbage, mushrooms, potatoes, "pierogi", followed by dried fruit compote and pastries for dessert.  You need to try all of them if you want to have good lack in the next year.

Polish Christmas tradition requires inviting not only the people we like, but primarily those who are lonely, sick and unhappy. With agreement in this it is customary to set an extra place waiting for lonely traveler who may knock that night on the door, or for the love ones who are far away, but may join their families in spirit.  

According to tradition, when the first star appears in the night sky, the meal can finally begin. 

Before sitting down at the table, everyone breaks the traditional "Oplatek". This moment is very unique tradition for the Polish people and quintessence of the Polish Christmas. "Oplatek" is known as the bread of love, friendship and forgiveness, person who do not approached the Christmas Eve table without forgiving and forgiveness, without being able to wish everybody well with a whole hart. 

After the meal the members of the family sing Polish Christmas Carols called the "koledy" and wait impatiently around the Christmas tree for the gifts to be exchanged. 

Christmas Day is very peaceful in Poland. People rest, pray, visit relatives and friends. 
This is the day that is meant to be spent with more family. 

Finally I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI

TORUŃ

Before moving to Poznan, I studied in Torun. I spent in this city 5 years.

Five best years of my life- so far.

Why? I have only good memories. Ok, it’s true that reminds me also studying and attend classes, learning to the exams ecc., but this city has an amazing atmosphere and is really full of students. Especially at night :)

The most beautiful Old Town in Poland

Toruń by night

I will not bore you with the story of the formation the city, because personally I don’t like it. 

But here are some interesting facts about Toruń:

• is a city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River
• is one of the oldest cities in Poland
• Toruń is the most Gothic urban complex in Poland
• one of the most important and crowded tourist centres of unique value
• has numerous museums and other attractions
• is one of the most important science and cultural centres in Poland with its bigest and oldest university in the North

The unique atmosphere of Gothic is the greatest attraction of Toruń. That is why Toruń is visited by over 1.5 million of tourists each year!!

In 1997 the medieval part of the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

In 2007 the Old Town in Toruń was added to the list of Seven Wonders of Poland.

National Geographic Polska rated the old town market and the Gothic town hall as one of the „30 Most Beautiful Places in the World.”

There are so many things you can do in Torun. But first of all, each tourist must see Nicholas Copernicus Monument – the greatest astronomer’s and son’s of Toruń who moved the Earth and stopped the Sun and the Sky.

Obviously, the most famous product of Toruń is the Toruń gingerbread. The tradition of the baking of these aromatic cookies in the town of Copernicus is almost as long as the history of Toruń. One says that no visitor to our city can leave Toruń without gingerbread.

Living Museum of Gingerbreads in Toruń

If I had time to tell you about all the monuments of Torun, beautiful Gothic churches, buildings, museums etc., I’d do it with pleasure. 

But I think that everyone needs to see the city, feel its unique atmosphere, eat gingerbread, take a picture with Copernicus and admire everything personally!

Hello!

First of all, let me introduce myself to you—my name is Anna and I’m studying Italian philology in Poznań.

I’ve lived here for almost two months and I like this city- is always full of life because a lot of students lives here , I have here a lot of friends and family ;)

So, generally speaking, I’m happy right here. At least for now.

But is it my place on earth?  Just a few months ago, if someone had asked me where I want to live, certainly I wouldn’t have answered that in Poznań. The truth is : everything can change in the blink of an eye!

Well, I’m not sure what I will be blogging about. A little bit of traveling, a little about life, a little of everything :)

But I hope that you enjoy it!