I am a Pole and Poland is the country, where I spent most of my life.
When I travel, people often ask me how is Poland like?
For some reason, it seems that vodka and Cracow are the most recognizable elements of my country. But believe me, Poland has much more to offer that you think.
We have many interesting facts and tradition in Poland and I would love to talk about them! Here is a list of 13 facts about Poland, from the most unusual to the funniest ones. You have probably never heard of before!
1. We host the biggest open-air festival in Europe
The Pol’and’Rock (Woodstock before) has taken place for almost a decade. It is the biggest open-air festival in Europe and it is absolutely free event. It lasts 3 days and attracts over 300,000 people every year in Kostrzyna next to the Oder river. The Pol’and’Rock is based on values such love, peace, and friendship. It is a peaceful place, where people aren’t divided into skin, culture or belief.
2. Cracow was a pioneer at the UNESCO World Heritage List
In 1978, the Historical Centre of Cracow was included on the first list of the world’s 12 heritage sites. The former capital of Poland located on the Vistula River is known as Europe’s greatest surviving example of the 13th century.
3. We love beers
Yes, we do. Poland is being the 6th-biggest beer-consuming country in the World behind the Czech Republic, Seychelles, Austria, Germany, and Namibia. The average Pole drinks 97,8 liters of beer yearly. Polish Tyskie and Zywiec are being the leaders at the Polish and the World beer markets.
4. We drown a Marzanna Doll
http://dziennikzwiazkowy.com
In Poland, the winter lasts long and sometimes is very cold, so people are impatiently waiting for spring to arrive. Every year, on 21st March (the first day of spring), we drown and burn a Marzanna doll – the symbol of departing winter. The ancient ritual is based on the idea of death and rebirth of nature. This is the way to say goodbye to Winter and welcome Spring. Despite the fact that Poland has very deep Catholic roots, this Pagan tradition survived and it is cultivating in modern times.
5. We celebrate a Name Day
Name day is a celebration of your patron saint, according to the calendar and the origin. It is related to the deep Catholic roots. It is very significant day in Poland. I would even say that it is more popular than a birthday, especially among elderly and a middle-aged generation.
6. We eat 100 million doughnuts on Fat Thursday
Fat Thursday is a tradition which marks the last week of carnival, just before Lent. According to the statistics, we eat 100 million polish doughnuts, paczki, on Fat Thursday in Poland. It means, that the average Pole eats 2 and a half doughnuts that day? Yes, it is absolutely true. We all love this celebration! It allows you to eat as many delicious and freshly baked doughnuts, as it is possible.
7. We won 17 Nobel Prizes
Polish people had the honor to win 17 Nobel Prizes, including four Peace Prizes and five in Literature. I cannot fail to mention the wonderful Marie Curie-Sklodowska the polish Scientist, who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize (Physics) and only woman to win the Nobel Prize twice (Chemistry).
8. We are great warriors
We fought for freedom in rebellions from 1600 to 1945. Poland completely disappeared off the world map, went through two World Wars and a communism. However, it always recuperated quickly from every crushing blow. We reborn and survived and that made us a strong country.
9. We have the Strongest Man in the World
Mariusz Pudzianowski known as Pudzian is a winner for the five-time World’s Strongest Man championships. He holds the Guinness World Records since 2008.
10. We are proud of our dumplings
Polish dumplings, called pierogi, are one of the most characteristic Polish goods. Pierogi stuffed with mushrooms, sauerkraut, meat, cheese, cabbage, fruits. You can try all of them here!
11. We celebrate Smingus – Dyngus
http://www.chido-fajny.com
Wet Monday, called Smigus – Dyngus is celebrated the day after Easter. It is an Easter-time custom. It was traditionally the day when only boys were allowed to soak girls with water, as a symbol of cleansing and purification. The girls could get their chances for revenge the next day. Nowadays, on Wet Monday boys and girls drench one another with buckets and bottles of waters and play pranks. It is so much fun!
12. We are getting married young
The average age of getting married in Poland is 27 years for a woman and 29 years for a man. This makes Poles one of the youngest to start a family in Europe. Well, yes I am an old maid in my country !
13. We celebrate Wianki
A symbol of the old Slavic-tradition is wianek, which means wreath in English. This special midsummer Solstice tradition in Poland is full of mystery and love. Girls weave the wreaths and throw them to float down the river. When your weave spins, you will have a good luck in love. It is a magical day filled with joy and happiness! We dance around bonfire, jump over the fire and tell the fortune.