Culture and customs

Poland boasts rich literary, painting and other artistic collections, collected throughout the ages.  

Polish literature is rich and varied and is full of writers who have had an impact on the development of world culture and literature. From epic poetry to profound novels and dramas, Polish writers have always had a unique ability to capture the essence of human existence and social struggle. Among the most outstanding Polish writers who have influenced not only Polish but also international literature are the following:

• Artists of the Romanticism era: Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Słowacki, Cyprian Kamil Norwid and Aleksander Fredro. The Romantic period, which falls within the period of Partitions and the struggle for independence, was a key period in Polish literature. It was during this period that some of the most important works of Polish literature were written, such as: “Pan Tadeusz,” “Dziady,” “Balladyna,” “Kordian,” “Zemsta”.
• Artists of the Positivist Era – among the most important creators of this era are Eliza Orzeszkowa, Bolesław Prus, Maria Konopnicka, Adam Asnyk, Henryk Sienkiewicz. When the Polish state disappeared from the map and the fate of the nation was decided by foreigners, they took responsibility for the survival of the Polish spirit. They strengthened hearts by remembering past glories, stigmatised national vices, educated society and built a modern nation. The basis of national consciousness was formed by their spectacular novels, national epics or instructive short stories. Great works of art such as: “The Doll,” “On the Niemen,” “The Trilogy” or the Nobel Prize winner “Quo Vadis” originated in that period.
• Young Poland Artists: Władysław Reymont, Gabriela Zapolska, Stefan Żeromski. Stanisław Wyspiański, Kazimierz Przerwa Tetmajer, Leopold Staff. Young Poland was dominated by pessimistic moods, the end-of-the-century crisis, a sense of weariness and threat, rejection of values, aversion to civilization. These are very poetic times, dramatic works also come from this period (“Wesele” “The Morality of Mrs. Dulska”). Young Poland literature also includes prose – “Peasants” by Reymont (for which he received the Nobel Prize in Literature) and “The Homeless” by Stefan Żeromski. 
• 20^th century artists – Witold Gombrowicz, Bruno Schulz, Stanisław Witkiewicz, Zofia Nałkowska, Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński, Kamil Baczyński, Czesław Miłosz
• Contemporary artists – Wisława Szymborska, Olga Tokarczuk. Both were awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for their life’s work. Stanisław Lem and Andrzej Sapkowski, who have distinguished themselves in the field of fantasy literature and the genre of science fiction. Novels by both authors have been made into films (“Solaris”) and television adaptations (“The Witcher”).

Classical music has been an integral part of Polish culture for centuries. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages. It was then that the first centres of musical practice were established in Poland. It flourished especially in the Renaissance, Baroque and Romantic periods. The most outstanding Polish composers were active in these periods. The heritage of Polish culture has been enriched by their works. Classical music also plays an important role in the country’s artistic life. Over the centuries, many outstanding composers have emerged who have made a huge contribution to the development of Polish musical creativity and have gained worldwide fame. The most important figures of Polish classical music include Fryderyk Chopin, Stanisław Moniuszko, Karol Szymanowski, Witold Lutosławski, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki and Krzysztof Penderecki. An original style and an innovative approach to compositional technique distinguish each of these composers. From piano miniatures to opera and large-scale symphonic forms, their works cover a wide range of musical genres and forms. To this day, the works of these composers are eagerly performed on concert stages around the world and form part of the canon of Polish musical culture.

Polish painting also has a rich tradition and many famous names in this field of art. Although Polish painters are relatively few and far between on the international scene, we can boast of a number of names that have gained recognition not only in Poland. Piotr Michałowski, a portraitist and battle painter, was the first Polish painter of European standing. The brothers Juliusz Kossak andWojciech Kossak, who painted the “Panorama Racławicka” (large format painting 15×114 m) together with Jan Styka. The goal of immortalizing the January Uprising was set by Artur Grottger. Jan Matejko, however, was the most outstanding exponent of historical painting. His paintings often depicted the most important events in Polish history, and he is considered the founder of the national school of historical painting. His paintings have been appreciated both in Poland and at the international level. In Paris, for example, he received gold medals for “Kazanie Skargi” and the painting “Rejtan – the fall of Poland”. He gained recognition in Poland thanks to the “Union of Lublin,” while international fame was confirmed by the highest French decoration – the Legion of Honour and membership in the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In turn, the painting “The Maid of Orléans” earned him the title of doctor honoris causa from the Jagiellonian University. Landscapes and genre paintings: Józef Chełmoński and Leon Wyczółkowski. Young Poland was represented in painting by: Jacek Malczewski, Stanisław Wyspiański and Józef Mehoffer . Nikifor is one of the most outstanding primitivist painters in the world. His oeuvre includes several dozen thousand works. He painted landscapes with the silhouette of Orthodox churches, landscapes of Krynica, Kraków and Warsaw, fragments of architecture and interiors of buildings. He was particularly fond of self-portraits and enjoyed portraying friends and passers-by.

Poland is a country that has been home to many outstanding film directors. They have gone on to become internationally acclaimed and some of their films are considered to be among the greatest in cinematic history. Polish cinematography has a long history and many successes to its credit, including a dozen Oscars and almost 30 nominations. The group of award winners include:

• Andrzej Wajda, who was honored by the American Film Academy with an Oscar for lifetime achievement, while three of the films he directed (“The Maids of Wilko,” “Man of Iron” and “Katyń” were nominated for this prestigious award.
• Roman Polański, whose “Knife in the Water” was the first Polish film nominated for an Oscar. He is one of the most recognised film directors in the Polish film industry. He has outstanding works of film art to his credit, including the Palme d’Or in Cannes, nominated in 7 categories for an Oscar, winning 3 statuettes, including for directing “The Pianist.”
• Krzysztof Kieślowski, who is considered one of the main representatives of the so-called “Cinema of Moral Anxiety.” He was noticed on the international stage in 1988 thanks to the title “A Short Film About Killing,” awarded at the Cannes Festival. This picture was part of the highly acclaimed in Poland and abroad “Dekalog” – a series of 10 films based on the biblical motif of the 10 commandments. Other works of the author appreciated by film critics include “The Double Life of Veronique” and the series “Three Colours – Blue/White/Red.”
• Agnieszka Holland – one of the most recognizable Polish filmmakers. Her films have been awarded many times. Among the Artist’s works, it is worth mentioning “To Kill a Priest,” “The Secret Garden,” “Bitter Harvest,” or “Europa, Europa.”
• Paweł Pawlikowski, whose films have been appreciated by the American Film Academy: “Ida” was the first film in the history of Polish cinema to be honoured with an Oscar in the category of “Best International Feature Film,” “Cold War” with an Oscar nomination in the category of directing.
• Jan Komasa, one of the representatives of the new generation of film makers. His debut feature and career breakthrough was the 2011 film “Suicide Room,” which won numerous awards at festivals around the world. The film “Corpus Christi” was a huge success in Poland and abroad, inspired by the true story of a young man who decides to become a priest after being released from prison. “Corpus Christi” was nominated for an Oscar as “Best International Feature Film.”

Family ties are very important in Polish culture. The family is often considered to be the basic unit of a society. Family gatherings are important, and hospitality is key to Polish society – Poles are known for their warm welcome. In Polish culture, hospitality is understood as: warmth, kindness and selflessness. It could be added that it means preparing the food, looking after the guests to make sure they have a good time, and sometimes staying overnight.

Grandparents also play an important role in families, often looking after their grandchildren or organising family Sunday dinners.

There are many other family celebrations that play an important role in Polish social life, in addition to the main holidays. These include baptism, communion, marriage, name day and birthday.

Baptism  the first important religious ceremony during which a child is incorporated into the Church community.

First Holy Communion  another significant moment in the life of a Catholic family, usually celebrated with great solemnity.

Weddings , both civil and church, are among the most important events, accompanied by lavish receptions and multi-generational family gatherings.

A name day is the tradition of celebrating the day of a person’s patron saint, often celebrated as solemnly as a birthday.

Birthdays are an annual occasion to celebrate with loved ones and friends, with milestone anniversaries such as 18^th or 50^th birthdays being particularly important and usually celebrated on a grand scale.

Poland also celebrates days related to family and close ones:

• Grandmother’s Day – January 21,
• Grandfather’s Day – January 22,
• Women’s Day – March 8,
• Mother’s Day – May 26,
• Children’s Day – June 1,
• Father’s Day – June 23.

Each of these celebrations, although different in nature, is an opportunity to strengthen family ties, celebrate together and consolidate traditions and customs.

The Polish nation is a people of celebration and has many opportunities to do so. We are very attached to our traditions, and we are happy to keep up the old customs. Poles feel most connected to their traditions when celebrating major holidays such as Christmas, Easter, All Saints Day and Corpus Christi.

Christmas

Full of tradition, symbolism and the joy of spending time with loved ones, it is one of the most anticipated holidays in Poland. The culture of Christmas in Poland is deeply rooted in folk traditions and has created a unique mosaic of customs, traditions and symbols that are characteristic of this time of year. The traditions of Christmas are still very much alive in Poland and are passed down from generation to generation. It is an element of Polish culture as well as a matter of faith. For many people, it is hard to imagine the festive season without decorating the Christmas tree, singing carols or smelling the Christmas dinner. Christmas Eve dinner is one of the most important elements of Christmas celebrations in Poland. Families sit down to a festive dinner on the day before Christmas, 24 December. According to the tradition, there should be 12 dishes on the table, which symbolise the 12 apostles of Christ. Placing hay under the tablecloth on Christmas Eve is yet another Polish Christmas tradition. The poverty into which Jesus was born is symbolised by the hay. This will bring prosperity to the household, according to tradition. In some regions of Poland, it is customary to pull a blade of hay from under the tablecloth – the longer the blade, the greater the prosperity in the following year. Exchanging wishes and breaking the Christmas wafer during the Christmas Eve meal is one of the most popular Polish Christmas customs. Leaving an empty seat at the table for an unexpected guest is an interesting Christmas custom in Poland. On Christmas Eve, no one should be hungry or lonely, which is symbolised by an empty place with a plate ready to be served. On Christmas Eve, we wait for the first star to appear. It is a symbol of the star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Kings to the newborn Jesus. Traditionally, we can only sit down to dinner and open presents on Christmas Eve after the first star has appeared in the sky. Decorating the Christmas tree is an inseparable part of the Polish Christmas tradition. Although many Poles now decorate their trees earlier, we traditionally decorate on Christmas Eve. The singing of Christmas carols with the family is a tradition that is still alive and well. Christmas Eve, 24 December, is a particularly important holiday in Poland, as it is the time for family gatherings around the Christmas dinner table. Traditionally, 12 meatless dishes are eaten, the Christmas wafer is shared, and wishes are exchanged. The hay is placed under the tablecloth and an empty place is left at the table for a guest who has not been announced. The Christmas tree, Christmas wafers, carol singing and presents are inseparable elements in almost every Polish home at this special time of year. Christmas, which is also celebrated as a two-day holiday, often spent with family, follows on the 25th and 26th of December.

Easter

It is the oldest and most important Christian holiday. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a movable holiday. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the spring full moon, which falls between 21 March and 25 April. The celebrations of Holy Week precede Easter. It is a time of reflection and fasting. On Holy Saturday, it is traditionally associated with the blessing of food and the blessing of Easter eggs – eggs decorated with a variety of techniques – in the church. The blessed dishes will be eaten at the Easter Breakfast ceremony on the following Sunday. On the second day of the feast, the symbolic pouring of water, which is said to bring good luck to the Virgin on whom the water is poured (Wet Monday or Śmigus Dyngus), is a custom still practised today.

All Saints’ Day (November 1^st):

The commemoration of all saints and the deceased is one of the most important and reflective holidays in Poland. On this day, Poles flock to the cemeteries to pay their respects to their deceased loved ones. It is also a day of remembrance. Traditionally, they take flowers, usually chrysanthemums, to the grave and light candles as a symbol of eternal life and remembrance. The seriousness of the moment is emphasised by the cemeteries illuminated by thousands of flames.

Corpus Christi

Always falls on a Thursday. It is celebrated 60 days after the Resurrection of Christ on the first Thursday after the octave of Pentecostit is one of the main holidays celebrated in the Catholic Church. It is a celebration of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – the miracle of the transformation of consecrated bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharistic procession is an inseparable part of Corpus Christi.

Poles also celebrate a number of national holidays, including the anniversary of Poland regaining its independence, which took place on November 11^th , 1918. May 1^st is Labour Day, May 2^nd is Polish Flag Day, and May 3^rd is Constitution Day, commemorating the adoption of the first Polish constitution in 1791.

The so-called “Andrzejki” is also an occasion for celebration. This is the last chance to have fun before the Advent season, when it is traditional for people to tell their fortunes for the coming year. The most popular of these is the fortune telling with hot wax. Its date of celebration is 30 November. On the last day of the year, Poles celebrate the arrival of the New Year with New Year’s Eve parties. Balls, masquerades and other parties are organised during Carnival. It begins with the Feast of the Three Kings, on the 6^th of January, and ends with Ash Wednesday

Folk traditions are an integral part of Poland’s cultural heritage. Polish rituals and customs. They are a reflection of our history and of our customs. Some of the most popular and widely grown to date include

• Drowning of Marzanna -a custom associated with the arrival of spring and the farewell to winter. It was supposed to take place around the spring equinox. However, the commonly established date is March 21, which is the day marking the end of winter and the first daycalendar spring.  The custom consists of symbolically drowning or burning a clothed effigy in water, not only to symbolically drive out winter, but also to cleanse the community of all negative energy and disease. It was believed that the water would take away Marzanna, and with her all evil powers and misfortune, paving the way for the rebirth and prosperity that the coming spring would bring.
• Palm Sunday – the basic dimension of celebrating Palm Sunday is commemorating the solemn entry of Christ into Jerusalem.  The assembled crowd was supposed to throw branches on the road as Christ entered the city gates. The main custom in Polish tradition is to gather at the church to bless the palm tree brought and to take part in the procession, which today has a triumphal character, and then to attend the liturgy.  Traditionally, the palm has to be handcrafted. Willow branches, a symbol of resurrection and immortality, were used to make traditional palms. Willow branches, a symbol of resurrection and immortality, were used to make traditional palms. They were cut on Ash Wednesday and placed in water to give them time to sprout and grow for Palm Sunday. Boxwood, periwinkle or yew were used to decorate the prepared palm.  In Lipnica Murowana (Lesser  Poland Voivodeship) every year on Palm Sunday a competition for the most beautiful and largest palm is held.
• Pentecost – a folk name of the church holiday – the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, closing the Easter holiday cycle, considered one of the oldest and largest holidays in the church liturgical calendar. It is celebrated 49 or 50 days after Easter. In the past, the ecclesiastical celebration of Pentecost was associated with various popular rites to welcome spring and with agricultural and pastoral customs. The tradition of decorating house walls, gates and fences with green branches, mostly birch, has been preserved in the countryside to this day. To this day, it is a tradition in many homes to put out pots and vases of calamus or calamus herbs on Whit Sunday.
• Midsummer Night – celebrated during the shortest night of the year (from June 21 to 22 – at the time when the summer solstice most often occurred).  The city is rich in history and tradition. Kupala Night, a festival of vitality and fertility, was celebrated by the ancient Slavs. After it was adopted by Christianity, this holiday was called Midsummer Night – also known as the Eve of St. John the Baptist. An important symbol of the Midsummer Night is the fire. It symbolises masculinity. It symbolises purification and defence against evil. One of the traditions of this night is the lighting of bonfires. People dance and jump over the fire. It is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring health, prosperity and fertility. An integral part of the celebrations was the search for a fern flower, which bloomed only on that one special night and was said to bring good luck and wealth to the finder. Another tradition of the Kupala Night is throwing herbal wreaths into the water to divine the future. This is a form of fortune-telling that is currently mainly aimed at virgins and bachelors. Girls made wreaths and threw them into the river. This was done to drive away unsuccessful, unhappy or unfulfilled feelings. The Bachelors’ job was to do the fishing for the wreath. Failure to do so was a prediction that the owner would have bad luck in love for the entire year. On the other hand, a young man would spend the next twelve months in solitude if he did not catch any wreaths during the night. If the wreath got caught in reeds or sank, it was an even worse omen. This was supposed to mean difficulties in loving, feeling misdirected or loneliness.
• Harvest Festival – for all those connected with the land and its crops, this is the most important holiday. It is one of the biggest and one of the most solemn holidays of the Polish peasants. It is an excellent opportunity for fun and feasting, and the culmination of all the work done in the fields throughout the year. “Festival of Harvest” means a traditional celebration of the end of the grain harvest. The Polish word “Dożonki” comes from the verb “żąć” (to cut grain). Traditionally, the turn of August and September is the time to celebrate this holiday. Modern harvest festivals are, of course, of a religious nature. A liturgical rite blessing the crops and wreaths is performed.
• Redyk (or Trailing of the Sheep) – a part of the mountaneering tradition, i.e. the tradition of highlanders involved in shepherding and the processing of elements derived from shepherding. It is a custom that consists of the ceremonial departure of shepherds with flocks of sheep to graze in mountain pastures (spring Redyk) and their return from grazing (autumn Redyk). Traditionally, the grazing period begins around St Wojciech, on 23 April, and ends around St Michael the Archangel, on 29 September. Redyk is not only an important event for the highland community, but also an interesting element of folk culture that attracts tourists and the curious. This event is an important part of the cultural heritage of Podhale, combining religious, cultural and natural elements. It is an example of how traditions and customs can survive for centuries, adapting to changes in circumstances but always remaining true to their roots.
• Caroling – Caroling is not only singing Christmas carols, but also a popular ritual of going from house to house during the Christmas season. The second day of Christmas is usually the start of the caroling season. The custom of carol singing is part of a long-standing national tradition. According to the old tradition, boys between the ages of 6 and 13 dressed up as carol singers. They carried a moving, colourful star of Bethlehem. Today, the age limit, as well as the gender limit, no longer applies. During the Christmas period, until 6 January – the Feast of the Epiphany, known since ancient Slavic times as “gody” – carolers go from house to house. The Three Kings, Turoń, Herod, the personification of Death and the Devil need to be included in the carolling group. It is also common to see characters dressed in animal skins, especially sheepskins. During this time, a nativity scene is also paraded around the houses. An important element of caroling is wishing the hosts all the best in the coming year,singing carols together and the hosts offering small gifts to the visiting carolers.

Please remember that on public holidays, i.e:

• January 1^st – New Year’s,
• January 6^th – Epiphany,
• the first day of Easter,
• the second day of Easter,
• May 1^st – National Holidays,
• May 3^rd – National Holiday of the Third of May,
• the first day of Pentecost,
• Corpus Christi Day,
• August 15^th – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
• November 1^st – All Saints’ Day,
• November 11^th – National Independence Day,
• December 25^th – the first day of Christmas,
• December 26^th – the second day of Christmas

Offices, large shopping centres and most shops closed. Shopping may also prove difficult on most Sundays. There is a trading ban in Poland, with the exception of a few designated Sundays each year.

Traditional Polish cuisine is the result of a combination of various local culinary traditions and the influences of the nationalities that have lived in our country. The result is a very varied cuisine. Polish cuisine is filling and based on traditional, simple products. Meat and flour-based dishes are the mainstay. Potatoes, beets, cucumbers, cereals, mushrooms and various meats are the basic ingredients of traditional Polish cuisine. Polish cuisine is also known for its many pickles, such as pickled cucumbers and sauerkraut. Sauerkraut is an important ingredient in many traditional dishes. Polish cuisine is also known for its excellent bread and tasty cold cuts (especially sausages).  Traditional Polish dishes include the following:

Pierogi: They are served both savoury and sweet. The savoury version is usually stuffed with meat, cabbage with mushrooms, cheese and potatoes (the so-called Russian pierogi, which originated in Galicia), served with lard, while the sweet pierogi is filled with cottage cheese or fruit. Cream and sugar are usually served with sweet dumplings.

Bigos: a tasty dish made of cabbage with vegetables, mushrooms, pieces of sausage and smoked meat; a traditional Polish dish

Żurek: a sour soup made from meat broth with rye flour leaven, served with potatoes, white sausage and hard-boiled eggs.

Pork chop: The pork chop is one of the classics of Polish cuisine and is a must for Sunday dinner in many Polish households. The classic recipe has seen many interpretations over the past 100 years. It can be fried in lard or oil, breaded, with a fried egg, on the bone or without. Usually served with potatoes and cabbage, it can be served in many different ways.

Cabbage rolls : a dish of minced meat (usually pork) mixed with rice and wrapped in cabbage leaves. Steamed in its own juice. It is served with tomato or mushroom sauce.

Silesia Roulade / Polish Rolls / Meat Rolls: Beef wrapped around a stuffing of bacon, onion, pickled gherkins and sometimes mustard, tied with string and stewed or baked. In many Polish households, this traditional dish is a must for Sunday dinner and holiday meals. It is served with dumplings and braised red cabbage.

Silesian dumplings are small potato dumplings with a characteristic indentation, served as an accompaniment to meat and sauces.

Kopytka are soft dumplings made from boiled potatoes and flour, which are served with a sauce or with butter.

Kaszanka is a sausage made from buckwheat and the blood of the pig, seasoned with herbs and often grilled or fried.

Potato pancakes potato pancakes, often served with cream or sugar, are fried pancakes made from grated potatoes.

Nutritious and tasty soups are an important part of Polish cuisine. The following are the most noteworthy examples:

Chicken Broth is a traditional Polish soup made from poultry stock (often chicken or hen) with the addition of vegetables (carrots, parsley, celery) and pasta, usually served on Sundays.

Borscht is a beetroot soup. It has an intense red colour. It can be served with uszka (small dumplings), croquettes or patés, or it can be served with potatoes.

Often served with pasta or potatoes, mushroom soup is an aromatic soup made from wild mushrooms. This is especially popular during the holiday season.

Grochówka is a hearty pea soup that is usually served with bacon or sausage and is seasoned with marjoram. Particularly popular in military kitchens and on cold days.

Krupnik is a thick soup based on barley and meat. Vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and celery are also included.

Tripe is a traditional soup made from beef stomachs, heavily spiced (e.g. pepper, nutmeg). Considered a national dish.

Kwaśnica is a regional highland soup made of sour cabbage, often with smoked meat, bacon or ribs. It is particularly popular in Podhale Region.

Polish cuisine also has a special place for traditional starters. Some of the more popular ones include:

Herrings meaning pickled herring fillets in a vinegar sauce, served with a variety of garnishes such as onions, apples or cream. Especially popular during the holiday season.

Steak tartare is raw, finely chopped beef, served with egg yolk and spices (onion, cucumber, mustard). This is a classic starter dish.

Lard is pork lard with onion, apple and spices, often served as a spread for bread.

Excellent desserts are also famous in Polish cuisine. The traditional Polish desserts are an integral part of the culinary culture of our country. They are characterised by diversity and flavour. Popular Polish desserts include cakes and other baked goods, but also puddings, jellies, kissel (a viscuous fruit juice), no-bake sweets, as well as doughnuts, pancakes and buns.

Cheesecake is a traditional Polish cake made with white cheese, usually with added sugar, eggs and often vanilla or lemon peel. Toppings such as fruit, chocolate or raisins can be added.

Makowiec is a yeast or short pastry filled with ground poppy seeds, sugar, honey and dried fruit. Often served as a roulade. It is a traditional Christmas cake.

Szarlotka is a Polish apple cake, usually short or semi-shortcrust, filled with roasted apples, often flavoured with cinnamon. Served hot or cold, sometimes with whipped cream.

Honey cake. A cake with honey, nuts, dried fruit and spices. It is fluffy and moist. It is often decorated with icing and candied fruit.

Yeast Cake. In the past, the most famous Polish cake that has permeated other culinary traditions was the Yeast Cake. Yeast Cake is baked primarily for Easter. These cakes are an important part of the table at the festive season. Over time, there has been a reduction in the amount of egg yolk and sugar in the baking process.

Pączki are sweet fried pastries with a filling (usually rose jam). They are sprinkled with icing sugar or covered with icing. They are particularly popular on Fat Thursday.

Yeast Buns. In addition to pączki, Polish culinary culture has many other sweet baked goods made from yeast dough that are also very popular. These include poppy-seeded rolls, cheeses, jams and other delicious fillings. One type of yeast roll is the extremely popular jagodzianki (yeast buns with blueberries).

Faworki are light and crispy biscuits that are deep fried and sprinkled with icing sugar. Popular during the carnival season.

National culture is a set of norms, values, patterns of behaviour, beliefs, knowledge, customs, habits, ideas, historical traditions and artistic products, as well as language and elements of material culture, which a nation recognises as its own, distinguishing it from other nations and strengthening its sense of national attachment and identity. Poland can boast over 1000 years of culture and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. You can discover Slavic, Russian and German influences. There are also influences from Italy, Eastern Europe and even the Middle East.

Culture and customs in Poland are deeply rooted in history, religion and traditions that have been a part of the national identity for centuries. Here are some of the most important aspects of Polish culture and customs:

• Polite forms of address: Using courtesies such as ‘Sir,’ ‘Madam’ or ‘please’ is particularly important in interpersonal relations. It shows respect and politeness.
• Greetings and farewells: In both formal and informal settings, greetings such as a handshake are standard. Hugs and triple kisses on the cheeks are also common in close relationships.
• Standing in a line: Following the rules of standing in a line is a social norm. Sitting in front of others in the queue is considered rude.
• Giving up your seat on buses, trams and trains, it is normal to give up your seat to the elderly, pregnant women and people with children or disabilities. In many vehicles there are special seats marked as priority seats, which should be made available for these groups of passengers.
• Peace and quiet : In public places, such as public transport or libraries, it is normal to keep quiet or whisper.
• Mealtime etiquette : In Poland, it is important to follow the rules of table etiquette, such as using cutlery, not talking with your mouth full and waiting for everyone at the table to start eating.
• Public drinking ban: It is illegal to drink alcohol in many public places, such as streets, parks and playgrounds. The purpose of these regulations is the prevention of public disorder and the maintenance of public safety. Zones where the sale of alcohol is prohibited after 10 pm have been introduced in many cities.
• Smoking: Poland, like most other EU countries, has strict regulations on the use of tobacco. Smoking and alcohol consumption are not permitted in public places such as bus stops and streets. In addition, most restaurants and clubs are smoke-free.
• Hygiene and order: In Poland, there are regulations on the maintenance of order in public spaces, including rules on waste separation and the maintenance of cleanliness. Care of the environment, including regular cleaning, is the responsibility of owners and tenants. Property owners have a special set of obligations in the autumn and winter months. This includes clearing snow from the roof, removing icicles, blocks of ice and snow and overhangs that could endanger the safety of people on footpaths and roads adjacent to the building. Snow removal from access roads to the property is the responsibility of the property owner and the property manager. Sidewalks in apartment blocks and private properties must also be cleared of snow, according to the Building Code and the above-mentioned Act.
• Safety and security: In order to maintain public order, local authorities and law enforcement agencies are responsible for the monitoring of compliance with regulations and the enforcement of penalties in the event of non-compliance. To ensure that standards and regulations are upheld, police and municipal guards can be found patrolling cities. Fines may be imposed for offences such as disturbance of the peace at night, improper parking and other offences.
• Quiet Time: In Poland, the night-time rest period is from 10 pm to 6 am. During this time, it is forbidden to work loudly or to carry out any activity that might disturb the peace of the residents, such as making noise, playing music or partying.
• Welcoming guests : The host tries to provide the best food and comfort when someone visits his home. The popular saying, “my home is your home” expresses the value of hospitality.