CCHRISTMASHRISTMAS T TRADIRADITIONSTIONS ININ P POLANDOLAND

We are the students We are the students and teachers and teachers

of the Primaryof the Primary School NR 279, School NR 279,

called after the names of thecalled after the names of the Battalions of Home Army:Battalions of Home Army: „Gustaw“ and „Harnaś“. „Gustaw“ and „Harnaś“.

We would like to tell you We would like to tell you about our school and our city Warsaw, about our school and our city Warsaw,

the capital the capital of Poland.of Poland.

We would like toWe would like to present youpresent you

the most beautiful the most beautiful and unique and unique

Christmas traditions Christmas traditions in Poland.in Poland.

Enclosed you will find one of traditional Christmas treeEnclosed you will find one of traditional Christmas tree decorations made by the students of our school.decorations made by the students of our school.

We hope it will look delightful on theWe hope it will look delightful on the Christmas tree in your school.Christmas tree in your school.

Warsaw, the capital of Poland, Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is situated in the center of theis situated in the center of the country, in the region calledcountry, in the region called

Mazowsze, by the Vistula River. Mazowsze, by the Vistula River.

It is an exquisite, rapidlyIt is an exquisite, rapidly developing city developing city

where tradition is combined withwhere tradition is combined with modernity.modernity.

Our school is situated on the right riverbank,Our school is situated on the right riverbank, in a district called Southern Praga. in a district called Southern Praga.

Panorama of Warsaw from the right bank of the river Panorama of Warsaw from the right bank of the river

The school was founded 40 years agoThe school was founded 40 years ago and it is very popular among childrenand it is very popular among children

and their parents. and their parents. This year we have 462 This year we have 462

children in the classes from „O“ to „VI“children in the classes from „O“ to „VI“

Among different subjects in the school curriculum there are two particularlyAmong different subjects in the school curriculum there are two particularly important: Englishimportant: English and French and French

which the children are taught since the first classes.which the children are taught since the first classes.

Christmas, apart from Easter, Christmas, apart from Easter, is the most solemnly celebrated holiday is the most solemnly celebrated holiday in Poland. in Poland.

It is a family holiday, mostly spentIt is a family holiday, mostly spent with close related people.with close related people.

December 24December 24tth, tth, the Christmas Eve, is particularly important for us. the Christmas Eve, is particularly important for us.

We begin the Christmas Eve supper at twilight, as soon asWe begin the Christmas Eve supper at twilight, as soon as the first star appears in the sky. This star is especiallythe first star appears in the sky. This star is especially

anticipated by children.anticipated by children.

We leave one place at the table freeWe leave one place at the table free as a sign of our unity with theas a sign of our unity with the

deceased from our families as welldeceased from our families as well as of our willingness to welcomeas of our willingness to welcome

every lonely person with our openevery lonely person with our open arms. Nobody can be alone in thisarms. Nobody can be alone in this

particular evening.particular evening.

We begin the supper with sharing the „opłatek“We begin the supper with sharing the „opłatek“ together with our best wishes. together with our best wishes.

It is a very old tradition which brings people together, so we celebrate it It is a very old tradition which brings people together, so we celebrate it also in our school.also in our school.

Very often we send the wafer inVery often we send the wafer in letters in order to be with the peopleletters in order to be with the people at least symbolically this evening. at least symbolically this evening.

According to an old tradition, there should be 12According to an old tradition, there should be 12 dishes on the Christmas Eve table. dishes on the Christmas Eve table.

The main course is fish, which is prepared inThe main course is fish, which is prepared in many different ways.many different ways.

Besides, we serve the red borsch with tortellini,Besides, we serve the red borsch with tortellini, the mushroom soup, noodles with poppy, cookedthe mushroom soup, noodles with poppy, cooked cabbage with mushrooms and a compote made ofcabbage with mushrooms and a compote made of

dried plums. Each dish has its traditionaldried plums. Each dish has its traditional meaning.meaning.

After the supper it's time to open theAfter the supper it's time to open the Christmas presents left by Santa ClausChristmas presents left by Santa Claus

under the Christmas tree.under the Christmas tree. Then, in anticipation for the midnightThen, in anticipation for the midnight mass, we sing together Christmas carols.mass, we sing together Christmas carols.

The old tradition says that this is the night the animals canThe old tradition says that this is the night the animals can speak with human voice, but not everyone can hear theirspeak with human voice, but not everyone can hear their

speech.speech.

CarolersCarolersFor a very long time a group of disguised people haveFor a very long time a group of disguised people have wandered from one house to another, singing carols.wandered from one house to another, singing carols. Among them there were: “turoń”, a goat, a bear, theAmong them there were: “turoń”, a goat, a bear, the

Bethlehem star, Harold, an angel and devil.Bethlehem star, Harold, an angel and devil.

Nativity playNativity play

Nativity play is another tradition originatedNativity play is another tradition originated from the biblical and popular from the biblical and popular

tradition of God's manger.tradition of God's manger.This custom dates back to the XIII century when This custom dates back to the XIII century when

the Franciscans came to Poland.. the Franciscans came to Poland.. They were the first to organize the Nativity plays -theThey were the first to organize the Nativity plays -the

moving scenes related to Christmas. moving scenes related to Christmas.

In our school we also present the nativity plays everyIn our school we also present the nativity plays every year for our students, teachers and our patrons .year for our students, teachers and our patrons .

Nativity plays in ourNativity plays in our schoolschool

Dear, students, parents and all the people working in your schoolDear, students, parents and all the people working in your school

We send all of you our best wishes of Merry Christmas and Happy andWe send all of you our best wishes of Merry Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year 2012.Prosperous New Year 2012.

We would like to maintain the contact with you and to know you better, learnWe would like to maintain the contact with you and to know you better, learn some facts about your school, town and country. some facts about your school, town and country.

We would also like you to come to Poland one day. We encourage you to visitWe would also like you to come to Poland one day. We encourage you to visit our Internet page( our Internet page( www.sp279.edupage.orgwww.sp279.edupage.org ) to find more information about our ) to find more information about our school or to visit us directly.school or to visit us directly.

Looking forward to hearing from you on our address:Looking forward to hearing from you on our address:Szkoła Podstawowa nr 279Szkoła Podstawowa nr 279ul. Cyrklowa 1ul. Cyrklowa 104-044 Warszawa04-044 Warszawatel./fax 0048228103544tel./fax 0048228103544

Yours faithfully,Yours faithfully,The headmaster, teachers, students, school workers and parents from the PrimaryThe headmaster, teachers, students, school workers and parents from the Primary School NR 279 in Warsaw, PolandSchool NR 279 in Warsaw, Poland