May 2 is a holiday in Poland. Święta polskie - Polish holidays. Major church holidays

30.09.2019

Celebrated on the basis of the Law on non-working days of 18.01.51. This law "gives" the Poles 13 holidays. Of this number, 3 have the status of state, and 9 - religious (do not forget that this is an overwhelmingly Catholic state). The New Year stands apart. These days the Poles have a day off from work.

Public holidays

The 1 of May- the Poles do not call Labor Day - it sounds simple and proud - Święto Państwowe i.e. a public holiday.

May 15 for 2016 - The first day of the Green Holidays is known to us as or the Day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit (after Easter on the 7th Sunday). (Zesłanie Ducha Świętego (Zielone Świątki).

May 26 for 2016 - Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ- (date falls on the 9th Thursday after Easter). (Uroczystość Najświętszego Ciała i Krwi Pańskiej).

August 15- Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (very revered by the Poles). Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny - simultaneously the Day of the Polish Army. (Święto Wojska Polskiego).

June 7th, 2015 , 06:37 pm

Conventionally, all Polish holidays can be divided into religious (i.e. Catholic) and

secular. Also, holidays are divided into those on which people go to work, and those on which they do not
go.

So, in Poland there are two most important holidays:

Catholic Christmas (Boże narodzenie) - 25 and 26
December (weekend)

This holiday is celebrated for 3 days.

First day: December 24 - Vigilia (Wigilia, also known as "Christmas Eve" and "the night before Christmas").

This day itself is a work day. All the action begins in the evening, at the vigil dinner (kolacja wigilijana), when the whole family should gather at the table. Each family spends this evening differently, depending on religious and family traditions, but some things remain unchanged and they try to stick to them.

Firstly, they always share payments (very thin unleavened bread) with each other for vigilia and at the same time they wish something good. The payment symbolizes the body of the Lord, and the division itself is a symbol of unity and mutual forgiveness.

Secondly, only lenten dishes should be on the table, preferably 12, by the number
apostles. Poles often cook a lot of fish dishes (fish is an ancient symbol of Christ).
Learn more about the celebration of the Vigil (in Polish)

Second day: December 25 - Christmas
This day is actually Christmas. On this day, it is customary to go to the Christmas moss in
church.

Third day: December 26 - St. Stephen's Day (dzień świątego Szczepana)
On this day, it is customary to go to distant relatives, to friends, acquaintances and with them.
to celebrate Christmas.

Important: Polish Christmas holidays consist of 3 days, two of which (December 25-26)
weekends!

24 grudnia - Wigilia, 25 i 26 grudnia - Boze Narodzenie

Independence Day (Narodowe Święto Niepodległości) - November 11
(day off)

Independence Day (Narodowe Święto Niepodległości) is very loved and appreciated by the Poles, because after the divisions of the Commonwealth, for 123 years they managed to keep their people without a country, until the end of the First World War. Then, in the course of numerous hostilities, it was possible to form an independent Polish state on the territory of the former Commonwealth, the reins of which on November 11, 1918 were transferred to Jozef Pilsudski, an ardent fighter for independence.

Chapter 11 - Narodowe Swięto Niepodległości

Easter and Easter Monday (Wielkanoc i śmigus-dyngus) - late March - early April
(weekends)

In Poland, Easter is celebrated in the same way as everywhere else: eggs are painted, Easter baskets are lit, and people go to church. The Easter basket usually contains eggs, lamb (baranek) - usually prepared either from dough or from sugar, horseradish, butter, salt and various meats. According to tradition, on Saturday before Easter, the smallest member of the family is sent to the church with this basket for illumination.

Therefore, children do not really like this holiday =) On Easter itself on Sunday (unlike Christmas)
Great Lent is coming to an end, so there are a lot of different delicious foods on the tables: game and poultry meat, sausages, pates, salads, zurek, stuffed eggs, etc.

But for Polish youth, the most interesting day is Easter Monday, also called śmigus-dyngus or Wet Monday. Once upon a time, in Polish villages, unmarried guys poured water on unmarried girls - a kind of flirting. It was believed that the wetter the girl was after the holiday, the more the guys liked her and the sooner she would get married. Therefore, in Poland it was customary to wish (and still wish) "Mokrego dyngusa", i.e. wet dyngus.

Currently, not only girls are poured over, but everyone around, regardless of gender and age
right on the streets. A very popular holiday among students of schools and universities. Of course,
sometimes it comes to outright hooliganism, when a crowd of guys splashed several buckets of water into
closing tram doors for passengers (I read about this as well). But rarely anyone is dissatisfied =)
Quite interesting is the question of where such a strange name came from. The point is that earlier
"smigus" and "dyngus" were two different traditions. On "smigus" a person was symbolically beaten on
feet with willow, and then doused with water - this was done to purify the soul and prepare it for
spring. Later, the tradition of "smigus" was superimposed on the tradition of "dyngus", i.e. opportunity to redeem
ritual "smigus" with a gift in the form of eggs.

Important: Easter Monday (Poniedziałek wielkonocny), śmigus-dyngus, wet
Monday (lany poniedziałek) is all the same holiday! On this day, the Poles have a day off!

Do not forget!
1) Easter is always on Sunday!
2) Easter happens on different dates!

Wielkanoc to data ruchoma - przykładowo koniec marca - początek kwietnia. Następny dzien - poniedzialek
wielkonocny, albo śmigus-dyngus - jest dniem, wolnym od pracy.

Feast of the Constitution May 3, 1791 (ŚwiętoKonstytucji 3 Maja) - May 3 (day off)

It was the first constitution in Europe, and the second in the world (after the USA). It was written for the purpose
to prevent further divisions of the Commonwealth between Russia, Prussia and Austria. However, this did not help, and 4 years after the approval of the constitution, Poland ceased to exist.

3 maja- Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja 1791 roku. Konstytucja była pierwszą w Europie, i drugą w świecie.

Day of the Polish Army and the Assumption of the Blessed Mother of God (Dzień Armii Polskiej i Wniebowzicie
Najświętszej Maryi Panny) - August 15 (day off)

Important: Two public and religious holidays fall on one day!

The story of why two holidays are celebrated on the same day is simple. August 15, according to the new style, among believers from time immemorial has been the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin. Plus, August 15, 1920 is considered a turning point in the history of the Polish-Soviet war, when the Poles, after a series of losses and retreats, unexpectedly drove the Russians to Moscow. The Holy Mother of God was considered the intercessor of the Polish army, it was thanks to her help (figuratively, of course) that Poland was able to turn the tide of the war in its favor almost at the gates of Warsaw (60 km). This battle is called the "Miracle over the Vistula" (Cud nad Wisłą).

15 sierpnia - Dzień Armii Polskiej i Wniebowzię cie Najś wię tszej Maryi Panny

Yes, yes, yes, this holiday is honored to this day, and this is not a relic of the communist past
Poland. May 1 is celebrated in 142 countries around the world!

Day of Polonia and Poles Abroad and Polish Flag Day (Dzień Flagi Rzeczpospolitej
Polskiej i Dzień Polonii) - May 2 (working)

Important: There are also two holidays on this day - the Day of the Polish Flag, as well as the Day of Polonia
What is Polonia? Polonia are Poles living abroad. On this day, May 2, the Poles for
border like to show in every possible way who they are by nationality. For example, wearing clothes with
large Polish symbols.

Important: Polonia's Day is one of the consul's favorite questions, not because it's so mysterious, but
because those who apply for the Pole's Card are automatically classified as Poles,
located outside Poland, therefore, they must know their holiday!

2 maja- Dzień Polonii, albo dzień polaków za granicą, a taksamo dzień flagi RP

All Saints' Day is also often referred to as All Souls' Day. The Poles on this day are trying
visit the graves of their relatives, light a lamp, light a candle. Happy this holiday
the tradition of Zadushek (Zaduszki) - November 2, which performs the same function, also adjoins.
However, November 2 is a working day.

1 listopada w Polsce obchodzą Dzień Wszystkich świętych, czyli dzień wspomnienia prządków.

The New Year in Poland is no different from the New Year in Belarus. However, in Poland
Christmas is more important. Christmas is a family holiday, but New Year's is more
youth holiday with friends.

Nowy Rok w Polsce obchodzą 1 stycznia.

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Boże Ciało) - movable date (day off)

Important: Boże Ciało is always on Thursday!

The date of this holiday depends on the date of Easter - it is celebrated on Thursday of the 9th week after Easter.
On this day, religious processions of Catholic
clergy. Believers also take part in the procession, and children can sprinkle them
road with flowers.

Boż e Ciał o ma dateę ruchomą iprzypada zawsze n aczwartek.

The holiday is dedicated to the three wise men who brought baby Jesus gifts for Christmas: gold, incense and
myrrh. On this day, “K+M+V 2014” is often written in chalk on the doors of houses and apartments. "K+M+V" -
stands for the Latin expression "Christus mansionem benedicat", which means "Yes
God bless this house."

Also, these are the names of the Magi, in Polish Kacper, Melhior, Baltazar.

Święto Trzech Kroli obchodzą 6 stycznia. Dzien wolnyodpracy.

POLSKIE TRADYCJE - POL TRADITIONS

Carnival (Karnawał) - from the celebration of the Three Kings to Mardi Gras

Carnival is a period of masquerades, balls, dressing up and fun. All over the world, carnival is celebrated from January 6 before Lent. The last day of the carnival (always Tuesday) is called Mardi Gras. The most famous carnival in the world takes place every year in Rio de Janeiro.

In Poland, there is no grandiose carnival as such, but Poles love to meet friends during this period, arrange masquerades at home with their families, participate in impromptu carnivals in theaters, cinemas, museums, restaurants, etc.

Karnawal - okres zimowych balow, maskarad, pochodow i zabaw. Rozpoczyna się najczęściej w dniu Trzech
Kroli, a kończy we wtorek przed Srodą Popielcową.

Fat Thursday (Tłusty czwartek) - movable date

Fat Thursday - the last Thursday before Lent, begins the last week of the carnival. Poles love the tradition of Fat Thursday. On this day, overeating is allowed, so that later during the fasting period you would not really want to eat. By tradition, donuts and brushwood are eaten. In ancient times, there was a lot of meat, lard and plenty of vodka washed down.

Important: On Fat Thursday, donuts and brushwood are eaten.

Tłusty czwartek - ostatni czwartek przed wielkim postem, rozpoczyna ostatni tydzień karnawału. Na tlusty
czwartek jedzą pączki i faworki.

Ash Wednesday (Sroda Popielcowa) - moving date

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. On this day, the clergyman sprinkles ashes on the heads of believers and quotes the Bible: "Dust you are and to dust you shall return." I wonder what the ashes
preserved from last year's willows, which are then burned.

Środa Popielcowa - pierwszy dzień wielkiego postu. W ten dzień ksiadz
posypia głowy wiernych popiołem i mówi „Pamiętaj, że jesteś prochem i w proch się obrócisz”

Palm Sunday (Palmowa niedziela) - moving date

Palm Sunday is the last Sunday before Easter. In the Polish tradition, the name Palm Sunday has been preserved, although willow twigs are used instead of palm. On this day, the palm trees in the church are illuminated.

Palmowa niedziela - ostatnia niedziela przed Wielkanocą.

St. Andrew's Day - on this day, or rather on the night of November 30, girls tell fortunes about their future husbands. The most popular divination:
- The girls poured wax into cold water (often through the eye of a key) and guessed at the resulting pattern. - The girls took turns putting their shoes from the wall across the whole house. The one whose shoe was first near the threshold of the house will be the first to marry. - The girls wrote the names of the guys on pieces of paper and turned the cards over so that the names were not visible. Then the cards were pierced. What name the girl pierced - that will be the name of her future husband. The guys could do the same by writing women's names on the cards. This fortune-telling is quite common at the present time.

Andrzejki - obchodzą 29 listopada. W tą noc niezamężne dziewczyny wróżbują na swojego przyszłego męża.

Holidays and traditions in chronological order:
1 stycznia: NowyRok6 stycznia: Świętotrzechkróli
Karnawał (od 6 stycznia do Mardi Gras)
Tłusty czwartek (data ruchoma)
Sroda Popielcowa (data ruchoma)
Niedziela palmowa (data ruchoma) Wielkanoc (data ruchoma):
1 maja: Swięto Pracy
2 maja: Dzień Polonii
3 maja: Swięto Konstytucji 3 Maja
Boże Ciało (data ruchoma): czwartek dziewiątego tygodnia po Wielkanocy
15 sierpnia: Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Marii Panny, Święto Wojska Polskiego (rocznica “cudu nad
Wisla”)
1 listopada: Dzień Wszystkich Świętych2 listopada: Zaduszki
11 listopada: Dzień Niepodległości29 listopada: Andrzejki24 grudnia: Wigilia25, 26 grudnia: BożeNarodzenie31 grudnia - Sylwester

The last month of spring is coming. The weather pleases with warm and clear sun, and the calendar is full of red days - in May there will be several days off in Poland at once, and if you manage to take additional days off at work, you can organize a long weekend, or even a whole vacation. This May will allow you to relax even up to 9 days in a row!

In May of this year, there will be a great opportunity to have plenty of rest or even make a short trip - in the first week in Poland there will be two whole official days off. May begins with an official public holiday in Poland - Labor Day (May 1) which is traditionally a public holiday. This year May 1st falls on a Tuesday.

If possible, take an extra day off April 30, on Monday, then long weekend will last for four days Saturday to Tuesday.

After Labor Day, you won’t actually have to work for a long time, because already May 3 people in Poland are waiting for another official day off, timed to coincide with a public holiday - Day of the Constitution of Poland.

May 3 falls on a Thursday, so if possible, take an extra day off on Friday as well May 4th then you can do it for yourself long holiday - from 3 to 6 May(Thursday to Monday).

Well, if you're lucky and manage to take three extra days off from work on Monday (April 30), Wednesday (May 2) and Friday (May 4), then you can rest up to 9 days!

Such a mini-vacation will greatly please Ukrainian workers in Poland, who will be able to come home for a whole week and spend time with family and friends. Or you can go on a short trip and visit those places that you have long dreamed of. However, we recommend that you monitor the situation at the border with the help of installed cameras online, as there may be times before and after the weekend.

If you plan to stay in Poland for the weekend, you can create a whole cultural program for yourself and visit interesting places. For example, you can visit a theater or a museum, or go out with friends for coffee.

And even on this weekend in Poland in May does not end. Already May 20(Sunday) Poles celebrate a Christian holiday Descent of the Holy Spirit which is an official holiday.

May ends with another long weekend that will last 4 days - from May 31 to June 3. Exactly May 31 Poles will celebrate the holiday Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord(Boże Ciało), which falls on Thursday, and if you take an additional day off on Friday June 1, you can rest on average 4 days (from Thursday to Sunday).

Read more about all weekends and holidays in Poland in 2018.

We remind you that in Poland since March of this year it began to operate. According to its provisions, this year the trade on Sunday in Poland banned twice a month on Sundays and additionally on public holidays(days of state and Christian holidays).

You can read more about the schedule of days when trading in Poland will not take place in the article

So, in May, all shops, supermarkets, kiosks and any other outlets (excluding pharmacies, gas stations, kiosks at train stations and airports) will be closed on the following days:

The 1 of May(public holiday Labor Day) - Tuesday
May 3(public holiday Polish Constitution Day) - Thursday
may 13- Sunday
May 20(Christian feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit) - Sunday
May 31(Christian feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord) - Thursday

All supermarkets in Poland will be closed on both May 1st and 3rd. However Wednesday (May 2) it will still be possible to make purchases - supermarkets will work, however, according to a slightly changed schedule. Some chains will shorten the working hours for their employees.

The largest supermarket chain in Poland - Biedronka- announced that on May 2 most Biedronka stores will work from 7:00 to 22:00. It also added that "in some places, chain stores may be open at other times."

Stores carrefour will work on Wednesday, May 2 as usual - until 00:00 or until 22:00(depending on the location of the supermarkets).

Supermarkets Auchan will be open until 21:00 or 22:00. Supermarket chain Lidl will work until 21:00 or 22:00, and the popular network Tesco will serve its customers until 00:00. Supermarkets will also be open as usual. Piotr i Pawel- depending on location until 21:00 or 22:00.

Opening hours of supermarkets in Poland

Supermarket chain	Opening hours Wednesday, May 2
Biedronka	until 22:00
carrefour	until 22:00
Auchan	until 21:00/22:00
Lidl	until 21:00/22:00
Tesco	until 00:00
Piotr i Pawel	until 21:00/22:00

For your convenience, you can use the calendar of days when trading is prohibited in Poland in 2018:

Have a nice weekend!

Poland has a number of major public holidays with fixed dates. This is January 1, which here is called not just a New Year's holiday, but Sylvester's Day, May 1 (here it has nothing to do with the holiday of workers, traditionally celebrated in the CIS countries and is simply called a public holiday), May 3 is a day celebrated in honor of the Constitution 1791, January 6 - the feast of the Three Kings, the day of independence from Russia, Austria, Prussia, which is celebrated on November 11.

Also celebrated here are familiar to different cultures on March 8, February 14, June 1 and some other dates. There is also Teacher's Day, I celebrate this on October 14th. But March 21 is considered the very only date when students are allowed to skip school, and they are not punished for this.

Holidays and traditions of Poland

January 1, Nowy Rock (NEW YEAR'S DAY)

Unlike Christmas, the New Year is no longer necessarily a family holiday, young people already mainly have fun in restaurants, hotels, holiday homes, and recently in the squares and streets of large cities.

The time that starts from the New Year and lasts until Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent) is carnival. This is the time of balls, dances, sleigh rides and various fun. Maundy Thursday (Fat Thursday) opens the last week of the carnival, these days donuts and favourites, as well as all kinds of delicacies cooked in fat, are eaten in every house.

January 6 Trzech Króli - Three Kings Day

Three Kings Day is a public holiday in Poland. This is one of the main Catholic holidays, celebrated in honor of the arrival of 3 magi or kings - Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar after the birth of Jesus to greet him and bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Often parades are held in cities with the participation of three symbolic kings on camels.

At the beginning of January, on the doors of some houses they write in chalk C + B + M or K + B + M and the corresponding year, which means the names of the three magi or the expression "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" - "Jesus bless this house."

Great Lent

Since Ash Wednesday, i.e. with the ceremony of sprinkling ashes on the heads of believers, the forty-day Great Lent begins. It precedes the most significant holiday of Christians - Easter, i.e. day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter is a holiday that is not tied to any particular day in the calendar. Poles celebrate it on the first Sunday after the first spring full moon from March 22 to April 25. The last Sunday of Great Lent is called Palm Sunday (Palm Sunday). On Palm Sunday, palm branches are consecrated in memory of the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. After Palm Sunday comes Holy Week. Maundy Thursday is the day of commemoration of the Last Supper and Holy Communion, Good Friday is the day of the crucifixion of Christ and the day of mourning in the church. On this day, believers come to the church to the tomb of Christ. Prayers at the tombs last all night, just like on Holy Saturday.

Wielkanoc and Śmigus Dyngus (Easter and next Monday)

Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first spring full moon (March/April). The celebration of Easter begins on Saturday, when the food brought in baskets to the churches by believers is blessed with holy water. The exchange of blessed eggs on Sunday morning with each other is a national tradition.

They prepare beautifully decorated baskets in which they put Easter eggs, sausage, bread and salt. Cooking Easter eggs is an old folk custom. Each region of Poland has its own technique and style of painting eggs. It must be admitted that some of the Easter eggs are real works of folk art. After the consecration of food, it can be eaten.

Easter Sunday for the Church is a great feast of the resurrection. After the morning mass, the faithful go home for the so-called Easter breakfast, which begins with the division of the consecrated egg. Everyone says wishes to each other and sits down at the laid table, on which they stand, beautifully decorated, plates with all kinds of meat and sausages, as well as salads and, of course, Easter eggs. For dessert, Easter Baba, Mazurka and Syrniki are served, which are also called Easter.

Easter Monday (Wet Monday) is also a public holiday. On Easter Monday there is a very ancient Easter tradition called "watering Monday" Śmigus Dyngus - the custom of pouring water on each other.

Green Holidays

Green Holidays is a mobile holiday. Its date depends on the date of Easter and usually falls in May or early June. In a Catholic church, this is the feast of the Apparition of the Holy Spirit. However, in folk traditions, the symbol of this holiday is lush greenery. Houses are decorated with green branches and calamus flowers. This custom is observed mainly in the villages, and in the cities, unfortunately, it is forgotten. Green holidays are also a time for outdoor games.

Boże Cialo (God's Body)

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi.

The Body of God is always celebrated on the Thursday of the ninth week after Easter (May/June), eleven days after the Green Holidays. The faithful, together with the ministers of the church, are preparing four altars in memory of the four evangelists. Altars are erected behind the church, in the squares. In most cases, the initiative to prepare the altar is taken, for example, by a group of students, artisans, etc. The main symbol of the holiday of the Body of God is one colorful procession, which consists of a crowd of believers. Some of the most colorful and vibrant processions take place on the Land of Lovitska and Kurpie, where there are very beautiful folk costumes.

On this day, processions are held with a procession of girls dressed in white, followed by priests. A large number of people still attend these processions.

1 May: Święto Pracy (Labor Day)

May 1 is an official holiday in Poland. May Day weekend in Poland is traditionally called Mayevka.

In Poland, All Workers' Day was first celebrated on May 1 in 1890. It was organized by the Socialist Party of Poland and directed against the Tsarist regime. Over time, this day has become a traditional holiday among the Poles. And when the Communist Party was in power, large processions began to take place in costumes and with posters. Day of all workers began to be considered the state on May 1 in 1950. Festive parades in honor of this day were held on a large scale, both in small towns and in megacities. In the capital of Poland, in the city of Warsaw, the leading personalities of the Polish People's Republic took to the podium on this day every year. Now they no longer arrange parades, noisy festivities and do not draw posters, people mostly prefer to go out on such a day to relax in nature with their friends.

May 2nd Flag Day and Polonia Day in Poland

Flag Day was first celebrated in Poland in 2004.

Polonia Day, as well as the day of Poles who live in other countries, began to be celebrated in 2002. This holiday was introduced by the Sejm in order to highlight the achievement and centuries-old contribution of Polonia and the Poles for independence in Poland.

This day is not a holiday.

May 3: Dzień Konstytucji (CONSTITUTION DAY)

Celebrating the anniversary of May 3, 1791, when the Constitution was proclaimed (the first in Europe).

June 4 Zeslanie Ducha Swietego or Zielone Swiatki.

The Day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, which in the countries of the post-Soviet space is usually referred to as the Holy Trinity.

National Day of Commemoration of the Warsaw Uprising

The holiday is dedicated to the memory of the victims and participants of the Warsaw Uprising, which began in Warsaw on the first of August in 1944.

Not a holiday.

August 15: Święto Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Marii Panny i Dzień Wojska Polskiego Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Ascension of the Virgin Mary) and Polish Army Day

This is one of the main Polish Catholic holidays and at the same time one of the main state holidays.

On the anniversary of the victorious battle of 1920 against the Russian Red Army, in a battle on the outskirts of Warsaw.

On this day, a solemn parade of Polish troops takes place in the Ujazdowski Alleys in Warsaw.

Also on August 15, Poles celebrate the Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The main religious celebrations with the participation of a high church dignitary are always held in the city of Czestochowa, in the church on Jasna Huzha (Jasna Gora), in a place that the Poles consider holy and especially respected by the whole people. In this church, in the altar, there is an icon of the Mother of God, called the Black Madonna, which among the Poles is considered the most holy miraculous icon ever created.

Pilgrims from all over Poland and from neighboring countries come to Częstochowa to celebrate the Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Dignitaries, as well as a huge number of more than 500 thousand believers, participate in this solemn event. This is an unprecedented event. The sermon of the cardinal, that is, an appeal to the people, is broadcast on television throughout the country. Festive services are held throughout Poland with the participation of local authorities, and flags in papal colors are hung next to the state flag.

November 1: Dzień Wszystkich Świętych (All Saints' Day)

On November 1, most Poles visit cemeteries, graves of relatives and light candles. In some cities, large necropolises (cemeteries) block the streets and start up special bus lines. In Warsaw, such lines are traditionally marked with the letter "C".

A few days before the holiday, the Poles go to the cemetery and put things in order on the graves, decorate them with flowers. On All Saints' Day, there are a lot of people in cemeteries who came to light a candle on the graves of their loved ones, as well as the graves of soldiers and famous people, which symbolizes the memory of those who left us for another world.

On the eve of November 1, Catholic countries celebrate All Saints' Day, and it is followed in the church calendar by the Day of All the Faithful Departed - the official day of commemoration of the dead. In Poland, on these two days it is customary to go to the cemetery and visit the graves of relatives. This day is also called "zadushki" - from "dzień zaduszny", that is, "the day of prayers for the souls of the dead." Polish Zadushki correspond to the days of commemoration of the dead in different parts of the world, but in Poland the traditions of this day are observed more thoroughly and consistently than in most Western countries.

November 11: Dzień Niepodległości (INDEPENDENCE DAY)

On this day, Poland regained its independence in 1918 after 123 years of partition between Austria, Prussia and Russia. As in the case of the Polish Army Day, the Polish president, as well as members of the government and the opposition, take part in a solemn parade on Jozef Piłsudski Square in Warsaw, next to the Coffin of the Unknown Soldier. This place was once the Saxon Palace.

Poland gained its independence on the same day that the First World War ended, and also when the Polish state was restored again, since in the seventeenth century it was divided between the Russian Empire, Prussia, and also Austria. In 1569, instead of the Polish state, there was an unification of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the so-called Rzeczpospolita. But by the eighteenth century, the Commonwealth was divided between Austria, Prussia and Russia. They tried to separate her three times. The last attempt at partition was in 1795. At this time, Poland ceased to be absolutely independent.

On November 11, 1918, Poland's most famous leader, Jozef Piłsudski, assumed military power. So, this date became known as the independence of Poland.

November 30 - Andrzejki

Andrzejki is a holiday celebrated on Andrzej's (Andrew's) name day on November 30th. On this day, it is customary to guess. This holiday is loved by young girls. there are many ways of divination that allow you to find out when and whom they will marry.

Saint Nicholas Day

Mikołajki - this is how the Poles call this holiday. It is celebrated on December 6th. He is loved by all children without exception, because. it is on this day that St. Nicholas comes (the analogue of our Father Frost and Santa Claus). And of course he brings gifts.

December 24: Wigilia EVE'S CHRISTMAS

25, 26 December: Boże Narodzenie CHRISTMAS (first and second days of Christmas)

This is the most important of the Polish holidays. On Christmas Eve, families begin to celebrate by sharing holy payments (oplatek, a kind of waffle) and exchanging good wishes. Traditionally, no meat is eaten on this day. At midnight, many families attend Pasterka, mass in the temple.

Holidays and weekends in Poland 2017

1	January	Sunday	New Year
6	January	Friday	Three Kings or Epiphany
16	April	Sunday	Easter
17	April	Monday	Easter Monday
1	May	Monday	Labor Day
3	May	Wednesday	Constitution day
4	June	Sunday	Pentecost or Day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit
15	June	Thursday	Corpus Christi Day
15	august	Tuesday	Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Day of the Polish Army
1	november	Wednesday	All Saints' Day
11	november	Saturday	Poland Independence Day
25	December	Monday	Christmas first day
26	December	Tuesday	Christmas second day

Weekends and holidays in Poland in 2018:

1st of January- New Year
January 6- Feast of the Three Kings or Epiphany
April 1- First day of Easter
April 2- Second day of Easter - Easter Monday
The 1 of May- National holiday - workers' day
May 3- National holiday May 3 - Constitution Day
May 20- The first day of Green Christmas time, the Descent of the Holy Spirit
May 31- Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ or Body of the Lord Day
August 15- Day of the Polish Army and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Nov. 1- All Saints' Day
11th of November- Independence Day of Poland
December 25- the first day of Christmas
December 26- second day of Christmas

Please note that as a rule all major Polish shops are closed on these days.

Weekends and holidays in Poland in 2019:

1st of January(Tuesday) - New Year (Nowy Rock)
January 6(Sunday) - Three Kings (Święto Trzech Króli) - Epiphany (Objawienie Pańskie)
The 21st of April(Sunday) - Resurrection of the Lord (Wielkanoc)
April 22(Monday) - Easter Monday (Poniedziałek Wielkanocny)
The 1 of May(Wednesday) - Labor Day (Święto Pracy)
May 3(Friday) - Polish Constitution Day (Święto Konstytucji)
the 9th of June(Sunday) - Descent of the Holy Spirit (Trinity) - Zesłanie Ducha Świętego (Zielone Świątki)
June 20(Thursday) - Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord (Boże Ciało)
August 15(Thursday) - Day of the Polish Army, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Święto Wojska Polskiego, Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny)
Nov. 1(Friday) - All Saints Day (Wszystkich Świętych)
11th of November(Monday) - Independence Day of Poland (Święto Niepodległości)
December 25(Wednesday) - Christmas Day (first day) - Boże Narodzenie (pierwszy dzień)
December 26(Thursday) - Christmas (second day) - Boże Narodzenie (drugi dzień)

We remind you that almost all shops may be closed on Sundays. The Poland store calendar for 2019 can be found here:

Dates of the long weekend (Długie weekendy) in Poland in 2019

In 2019 Poland will eight long weekends. Of these, six are timed to major Christian holidays and two more - to official public holidays in Poland.

December 29 - January 1(4 days off) - New Year, Holy Mother of God (Nowy Rok, Świętej Bożej Rodzicielki)
April 20 - 22(3 days off) - Easter, Easter Monday (Wielkanoc, Poniedziałek Wielkanocny)
May 15(5 days off) - Labor Day (Święto Pracy) and Polish Constitution Day (Święto Konstytucji)
June 20 - 23(4 days off) - Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord (Boże Ciało)
August 15 - 18(4 days off) - Day of the Polish Army, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Święto Wojska Polskiego, Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny)
the 13th of November(3 days off) - All Saints Day (Wszystkich Świętych)
November 9 - 11(3 days off) - Independence Day of Poland (Święto Niepodległości)
December 25 - 29(5 days off) - Christmas (Boże Narodzenie)