Wigilia

Christmas in Poland is called "Święta Bożego Narodzenia" which translates to "The Feast of Nativity." The most important family meeting and dinner happens on Christmas Eve, December 24. This meeting is called "Wigilia" ("Eve") and begins with the appearance of the first star. Customarily, children look out for the star to appear on the dark evening sky, which is a source of great expectation. It is only when a child sees the star that all participants sit down at the table. Bits of hay are spread beneath the tablecloth - a reminder that Jesus was born in a manger. An empty place is left at the table for a lost wanderer who may be in need of food or shelter. The dinner begins with the breaking of an unleavened wafer called "opłatek" and sharing it between all the participants. During the breaking of the wafer people exchange wishes, prayers, and hopes for the New Year. This tradition is surely linked to the breaking of the bread at the Last Supper. Twelve meatless dishes are prepared symbolizing twelve months of the year and twelve Apostles. A traditional dinner is a pescatarian's dream. It includes a variety of fish: most often carp and herring (made in many ways: fried, fillets, gefilte fish, marinated, in aspic, etc). Apart from fish there are borscht (beetroot soup) or mushroom soup with uszka (ravioli), as well as pierogi (dumplings with a variety of fillings: onions, cheese, sauerkraut, potatoes, mushrooms), bigos (stewed cabbage and sauerkraut with vegetables), krokiety (fried crepes with different fillings). For dessert are makiełki (noodles with dried fruit, nuts and poppy seeds) or makowiec (poppyseed roll). To drink there is "kompot" - a compote of dry fruits. Traditionally Poles abstain from hard liquor on Christmas Eve. The celebration ends with the exchange of gifts and going for a midnight mass ("Pasterka"). 

Wesołych Świąt!