Religion is deeply integrated in Poland. A lot of religious holidays are considered national holidays. Approximately 95 percent of Poland's inhabitants are Roman Catholics.
Most Polish meals consist of meat, bread, and potatoes. Poles consume around three-hundred pounds of potatoes per capita per year. Vegetables consumed are local cool weather crops such as beets, carrots, cabbage and legumes (beans, peas, lentils). Another nutritious source is dairy such as fresh or sour milk, sour cream, buttermilk, whey, cheese, and butter.
The Polish daily meal sequence is dependent upon the family and the season; however, typically it starts with a substantial breakfast: eggs, meat, bread, cheese, and cold cuts are possible. Then people may have a second breakfast similar to a lunch. Dinner, the main meal of the day, is served mid afternoon. It consists of a large bowl of soup, a main course with a salad, and dessert.The last meal of the day is a light supper eaten in the evening. Food and family are a huge part of Polish culture, especially the process of food making which often takes time to carefully make everything by hand.
Christmas: Among many specific family traditions, Advent (a time of waiting for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus) is when the baking of the Christmas piernik (gingerbread), and the making of Christmas decorations occur. St. Nicholas does not play a major role on Christmas Day, but is celebrated on his Saint feast day of December 6. In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day first of fasting, then of feasting. The "Wigilia" feast begins at the appearance of the first star. There is no red meat served but fish is typically consumed. The supper, which includes many traditional dishes and desserts, can sometimes last for over two hours. It is followed by the exchange of gifts. Christmas Eve ends with Pasterka, which is the Midnight Mass at a local church. The next day, the Christmas Day, is often spent visiting family and friends. Which is similar to Christmas for Catholics in America.
Kreija, Andris S. "Countries and Their Cultures." Culture of Poland. Advameg, Inc., 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Poland.html> "Polish Christmas Traditions." Polish Christmas Traditions. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.polishcenter.org/Christmas/TRADITIONS.htm>.
Image: "Cieszmy Się I Pod Niebiosy." Polonia Music. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.poloniamusic.com/KolendyCieszmysieipodniebiosy.html>.
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