Bookish Warsaw

May started the season for book-related events in Warsaw. Or so it seems. A few events that got my attention.

It started with Noc Muzeów or The Long Night of Museums, on the 17/18 May. A translation of Polish and Icelandic poems, the night in the public library, and many other events related to book on this night.

The next event was Warsaw Book Fair, 22-25 May, on the National Stadium in Warsaw. What captured my heart this year was the comic section, as you can read in the linked post. 

June is the time of the Pride Parade in Warsaw (called in Polish Parada Równości which means 'Equality Parade'). Since 30th May Equality Festival has started, a time for many LGBT-related events. It shouldn't be surprising there is also a small fair of LBGT-related books (9-15 June) In one of the caffe&bookstore place called MiTo. Nothing big, but still nice possibility to get some books in Polish and English for lower prices. The Parade itself is on 14th June.

Big Book Festival is a two days (14-15 June) festival in various places of Warsaw, and even beyond - in Podkowa Leśna, where is a museum of this year's big star writer - Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz. Many of its events are held in both Polish and English, which isn't common in Poland.

Have fun, I will on the Big Book festival where I volunteer.

Children's Day in Wola

First June is Children's Day in Poland. Many events are held for children in various points of town. All the more, when 1st June is a free day, like Sunday this year.

This year's theme was "Piknik Królewska Wola" (Picnic: The King's Wola [Will]). As I wrote earlier, Wola in Polish means "will".

Below there is a video from the workshops of traditional (court) Polish dance called polonez.

And some photos of other attractions. There were also: painting faces, painting workshops, theatre, songs, reading, decoupage among other activities.

On second photo there is a merry-go-round (karuzela in Polish). People from Warsaw usually connect it with a song "Karuzela" which lyrics include "Karuzela, karuzela, na Bielanach co niedziela". Meaning: Carousel, carousel, in Bielany every Sunday. Bielany is one of the districts of Warsaw, like Wola. The video to this song is from a film.

There were also snacks, of course. As usual there were stands with: popcorn, cotton candy, candies, wafers, ice cream and pańska skórka (a kind of candy from Warsaw region). If you were hungry, you could get grilled sausage. Unfortunately, nothing unusual. Kinda sad there wasn't even one stand with healthy food for children, tho. Especially that the event was organised by the Wola's Hall.

Over a Month of Events

Past few weeks were full of events. I mean the weeks from around the Easter until The Long Night of Museums. So from 13th April 2014 to 18 May 2014.

The events mentioned in the post:

• Easter; 
• Beatification of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II, 
• Majówka, 
• Eurovision, 
• The Long Night of Museums (Noc Muzeów). 

Easter in Warsaw

The Palm Sunday 

© Alina Zienowicz (from: Wikipedia)

The Palm Sunday was on 13th April 2014. Nothing special in Warsaw, where you just go to the church with (usually) a palm bought on the street, or just in front of the gate to the church. Those palms are often made from dry grasses and flowers. Just like the ones in the photo.

This day is specially celebrated in Łyse, a village in Kurpie region (part of Mazovia) where there are contests for the most beautiful palm.

Holy Saturday

© Błażej Benisz (from: Wikipedia)

On Holy Saturday people in Warsaw go to churches to bless święconka (Easter basket). The food inside is symbolic, and serves as a food to eat for Holy Sunday's breakfast. There is a superstition that what was blessed shouldn't be eaten after sunset.

Święconka is blessed during special short "mass" (it's over in around 10 minutes) and you can do it for most of the day, from morning to evening. In the countryside a priest may visit a village and bless święconka that was gathered for example in the village's mayor house.

Street Bands in Warsaw

Warsaw Street Bands

There are some things I enjoy about the urban folklore in Warsaw. It's - obviously - the street musicians and bands.

Musicians playing and singing on the streets of Warsaw were especially popular before the Second World War. But even today there are bands that still play in places with lots of passer-bys (tourists including). What's more some bands playing their music going through the backyards, among the apartment buildings.

Today, on 23rd of March 2014, one of such bands was in my neighbourhood. I think it was first time in few months. Not surprising, considering that there is too little street bands in too big city to hear them often. Unfortunately.

Continue reading to see the videos of the street band performance. You will also learn more about street bands in Warsaw and its significance.

Warsaw's December Photos

On 14th December I went with my friend for a walk. We visited one of the Christmas fairs I mentioned last time. It was a small fair in front of one of Wola's churches. Later, we went to the city centre, passing by Pałac Kultury i Nauki (Palace of Culture and Science), one of the city symbols.

Continue reading to see photos of Wola and Śródmieście, made by my friend.

November in Warsaw

What are the main events and celebrations in Warsaw in November? There are customs related to the past (honouring those who passed away) and the future (marriage fortune magic). And the most important national holiday - The Independence Day.

Continue reading to learn about these and other events.

Polish Independence Day

Polish Independence Day (Dzień Niepodległości) was set to 11 November as a commemoration of regaining sovereignty after 123 years of non-existence. During those 123 years Poland was divided by three neighbours: Russia, Prussia (later Germany) and Habsburg Empire (later Austria). That day was chosen, when Józef Piłsudski assumed control of Poland. He was a Chieft of State (Naczelnik Państwa) between 1918 and 1922.

It was officially set up in 1937, not celebrated during Second World War (from 1939, when Poland was occupied by Germany and USSR) to 1989 and came back when Poland regained sovereignty, this time from USSR.

Dzień Niepodległości is a free from work day. Continue reading if you're interested in learning more about Polish anthem and celebrations.

Referendum for and against the President of Warsaw

Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz,
photo by: Piotr Drabik/Wikimedia Commons/CC

On 13th October we had an referendum for/against the current President of Warsaw. Opposition of the President of Warsaw (and the ruling party called Civic Platform) wanted to throw down Mrs. Hanna-Gronkiewicz-Waltz from her office.

That didn't happen in the end, as the referendum was invalid. Too little people went to vote. Tho from those who voted, around 95% wanted to end the President's post before the constitutional-end in 2014.

If you want to know more about the referendum, continue reading.

September in Poland

September in Poland is a start of the new school year (up to high school) but also... make us remember the World War II, as it's the month Poland was attacked by Hitler.

If you want to learn more about historical events, celebrations, special days and annual events in Warsaw during September, continue reading.