Polish Christmas Eve (Wigilia)

In Poland, the traditional Christmas feast occurs on Christmas Eve, or Wigilia, a day that holds equal importance with Christmas Day. Before the table is set, straw or hay is placed under a white tablecloth. An extra place is set for any unexpected visitor, as a reminder that the Holy family was turned away from inns in Bethlehem and that those seeking shelter are welcome on this special night.
The traditional Polish Christmas meal consists of 12 dishes, one for each of the 12 apostles. These dishes are usually meatless, though this restriction does not exclude the preparation of fish. Typically, people watch for the first star to appear in the night sky before sitting down to eat. The breaking of symbolic wafers precedes the meal and everyone shares pieces of the broken wafers.

It is on this day that the Christmas tree is decorated. The Polish Christmas tree can be decorated with shapes cut from gingerbread, colored wafers, cookies, fruit, candy, straw ornaments, decorations made from eggshells, or commercially produced ornaments. 


Sebastian Bugaj

Lapsi - Ascension Day

The feast of the Ascension of Our Lord (forty days after Easter), is known as Lapsi in Malta.  In olden days, families had their first swim and children played at swings on this day.

Sometimes parents prepared a homemade swing at home in their yard or garden tied to a tree or even attached a swing to the front door of their houses.

Just as the Lord went up into heaven, this tradition made our ancestors remember their journey towards heaven as they swung high up in the sky towards the place prepared for us by Him.

The “Quċċija”

Maltese people have an interesting tradition regarding baby’s first birthday. This tradition is known as “Quċċija”.

Several objects representing various trades or professions are laid on a carpet on the floor or on a low table.

Among objects included there can be: a pen for a writer, an egg or wooden spoon for a chef, a book for a teacher or a lawyer, a rosary beads for a priest or nun, some money for an accountant, banker or business person, a pair of scissors for a seamstress or a tailor, a tripod for a photographer, a paintbrush for an artist and a thermometer or a stethoscope, for a nurse or doctor.

The first object the tiny hand of the child chooses is said to predict the child’s future.  

This cute little girl, Emily, chose a tripod, so what do you think she will be when she grows up?

When the ceremony is over the relatives are invited for a little reception in honour of the child which includes traditional sweets and drinks. Today this tradition is still alive in some villages but the reception ends with the cutting of a cake with one candle which was not done in olden days. This is surely an entertaining activity for the child’s family, relatives and close friends. It is believed that such a practice is also found in some villages in Greece and Sicily.

Dear Polish friends, can you answer our question about Emily?

(A very special thanks to Clare for giving me permission to use her daughter's “quċċija” photos).



Easter Cards

These are the Easter Cards we made for our friends in Malta.

Happy Easter to our Project Partners

Thanks for the lovely cards you sent us. Very beautiful and artistic too. We would like to wish you a wonderful and a blessed Easter 2012!

Polish doughnuts "pączki"

"Pączki" (POHNCH-kee) are fried rounds of yeast dough with rosehip, prune, apricot, strawberry, raspberry or sweet cheese filling. In Poland, authentic Polish "pączki" are the sweet treat when it comes to Fat Tuesday, the last day of feasting before the start of Lent.

Dominika Bisgwa

Polish "mazurek wielkanocny"

Mazurek, known as "mazurka" in English, is a flat Polish yeast-dough or pastry-dough cake variously topped with almond paste, preserves and/or nuts, dried fruits, meringues, and sometimes left plain. The one thing they have in common is they are rarely over 1 inch in height. They are typically served for Easter. This "royal" version is probably so named because the coloured preserves peeking out of the lattice resemble the jewels in a royal crown. 

Weronika Seidel