sobota, 30 marca 2013

Happy Easter Everyone !



Easter traditions in Poland have a lot connections with religion. It’s the most important time for Catholics. We celebrate Resurrection of Jesus Christ and this belief gives us a hope for a new life.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

In fact, preparations for this Holy Time starts on Ash Wednesday, when we go to church to make us remember that  we are dust and to dust we shall return. It’s the first day of Lent, about 46 days before Easter. Lent is still important in Poland. Maybe there is less and less people who sacrifice something during this special time, but we can still meet them. It’s not completely about religion, not only about prayers, it’s also about trying your character. 
 
Another tradition is to prepare the palm branch (symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life, which commemorates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem) for The Sunday of the Lord's Passion.  It’s joyful time. According to the old tradition, there is a lot of contests for the most beautiful and largest palm. The most famous is in Kurpie region. I advise you to check the link below http://www.gminalyse.pl/Palmowa2013.html

The custom of coloring eggs is still alive in Poland. The simplest way is to cooked eggs with onion skins; you can also leave some signs on the egg before. The most popular Easter symbols are lamb, cross, Easter greetings, flower…  In the past, by giving an Easter egg you showed that you’re interested in someone. 


And here we are, today it’s Holly Saturday. If you’re in Poland, you’ll meet thousands of people keeping their baskets in their hands and going to the church to bless the food. In traditional polish basket you’ll find hard-boiled eggs (symbol of a new life), bread (Jesus), salt (purification), horseradish (bitter sacrifice of Christ), ham and sausage (joy and abundance), fruits and cakes. All baskets are decorated with sprigs of boxwood.  After the ceremony, It’s also the time for wishes and collecting food (products from basket) for poor people. 
 
According  to the tradition, the blessed food needs to stay untouched until Holly Sunday breakfast.  The table is covered with a white tablecloth – symbol of the white swaddling cloth with which body of Christ was wrapped in Holy Sepulcher. There is also a tradition to share blessed eggs and wish each other good health. On traditional polish breakfast, you’ll also try żurek – Easter soup, cooked by fermented rye flour with white sausage, smoked bacon, eggs. You can add cooked potatoes or eat it with bread.


Monday after the Holly Sunday it’s called Wet Monday. It’s a pagan custom, celebrated by everyone by sprinkling each other with cold water. Before it was a symbol to clean soul from the sins, nowadays people believe that it brings luck for all the year. Be careful, if you are in Poland, no mater of the weather you can be really wet. 
 
There is also another custom celebrated that day, you need to come to Wieliczka, little town next to Cracow. It’s all about Siuda Baba – folk tradition. According to the legend, the holly fire was kept by priestess during all year. Only on the beginning of Spring time she was allowed to leave temple and to look for a new priestess. Right now, Siuda Baba is a man, dressed like a old woman, with black face. In one hand he keeps black cross, whip in another. He walks on the streets and if he finds you you need to give him some coins. If not, you’ll be all dirty…

Happy Easter Everyone! I hope this Easter fills your home with peace, joy, love, happiness and plenty of colorful Easter eggs. I wish you also to get new hopes and new beginnings !


wtorek, 26 marca 2013

A banana a day keeps the doctor away !



Do you know that this fruit is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins (A, B, C), iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and natural sugars? Bananas are great source of energy, help to relax your mind, reach weight-loss goals, protect against heart disease, reduce the effects of a hangover and morning sickness if you’re pregnant… 


niedziela, 24 marca 2013

1964…



Looking at my last shots of the summer 2012 I found these ones… I bet that’s 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL… Mmm… old cars, old history… 



It was quite special year. My favorite jazz singer was born, decision to construct Channel Tunnel was taken, Nobel prices went to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jean-Paul Sartre… and many more.  Speaking about Balkans, it was time of Tito and Great Yugoslavia (a socialist federation of six Yugoslav nations).
Anyway, let’s back to the subject.  You wouldn’t like to drive this car ? 


piątek, 22 marca 2013

Sarajevo Roses



Are you thinking of flower?
Which color?
Which size?
What’s your first thought?

Or maybe you watched a film by Roger M. Richards?
In this way, the secret is known. 

Sarajevo Roses are red, red like a blood which appeared on the street after mortal shell’s explosion.  Sarajevo Roses have shape of the flower, shape which was given by marks of the explosion.
Sarajevo Roses are painful memories, filled with red resin after the war. They are unavoidable part of history. According to the stories, they grew by the death and they were watered with the tears of those who survived…

Sarajevo Roses became very popular tourist attractions and… they have started to disappear…
Is it caused by renovation ? or maybe Bosnians want to keep their history for themselves?