Photo  by Karolina Grabowska taken from LINK

Easter in Poland is the most important religious holiday in the country, characterized by a rich set of customs, rituals and culinary delights passed down from generation to generation. Let’s delve into the colorful world of Polish Easter traditions. Here are some Polish traditions related to Easter.

Preparations for Holy Week

The week before Easter Sunday, called Holy Week, is a time of pious observation and preparation. Polish families attend services, especially on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, which commemorate the Last Supper and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Photo taken from LINK

The Blessing of Easter baskets

One of the most valued Polish Easter customs is the blessing of Easter baskets, the so-called Święconki. On Holy Saturday, families bring richly decorated baskets filled with symbolic dishes to the church to be blessed by the priest. These baskets typically contain items such as eggs (often painted with intricate patterns), bread, salt, sausage, ham, and a lamb-shaped cake, all representing different aspects of Easter history and traditional Polish cuisine.

Photo taken from LINK

Easter Sunday celebrations

Easter Sunday is a day of joyful celebration and feasting. Families gather around the table to enjoy a sumptuous meal consisting of a range of traditional dishes, including basket food but also sour rye soup, borscht, dumplings and roasted meats such as ham and lamb as well as desserts such as mazurek (shortcrust pastry with nuts and fruit) and babka (brioche-like pastry).

Photo taken from LINK

Easter Monday: Śmigus-Dyngus 

Easter Monday, known as Śmigus-Dyngus or Wet Monday, is a lively and cheerful tradition during which people jokingly throw water on each other. Originating from pagan rituals symbolizing cleansing and fertility, it is a day of fun and camaraderie with water fights breaking out on trails and squares across the country.

Photo taken by: Mariusz Łężniak – Muzeum Wsi Kieleckiej  from LINK

Symbolism and spirituality: 

Apart from holidays and customs, Easter in Poland is a deeply spiritual time, symbolizing rebirth, renewal and the triumph of life over death. It is a time of reflection, gratitude and using one’s own faith and heritage.

Photo taken from LINK

To sum up, Easter in Poland is a multi-aspect holiday, seamlessly combining religious piety with cultural heritage and family ties. Thanks to its timeless traditions and joyful customs, it is still a valued and significant holiday for Poles around the world, uniting people in faith and community.

SOURCES: 1, 2

2023/2024 © Natalia Pietrzak, 1 rok, Pedagogika,  Akademia Nauk Stosowanych w Koninie