CARNIVAL CARNIVAL traditions in Poland

by Sia

Carnival, otherwise known as «zapusty» or meat-fest in Poland, is a time of balls, dressing up and feasting Every year it begins on January 6, the holiday of Three Kings, and ends the day before “Ash Wednesday” (This is the day when the 40-day period of Lent begins in the Catholic Church. The symbolic sprinkling of ashes on the head and abstaining from certain foods begin the period of penance, preparing for Easter.), which usually falls on the end of February.

Every opportunity to have fun is good, which is why the carnival, although it no longer has as much religious significance as it used to and is not related to the vegetation cycle, is also a time of grand parties and social meetings nowadays. Poles willingly participate in balls, take part in thematic events in restaurants and celebrate “Fat Thursday”.