Comenius 2011-2013, project: An extra place at table or know each other through food", the fifth meeting in Bulgaria, March 2013, presentation by Polish Comenius team from Primary School nr 8 in Chrzanów, Coordinator: Bernadetta Utzig

1. Special food
for special occasions
in Poland
Primary School nr 8 in Chrzanów,
Poland
Activity for the Comenius Meeting in
Bulgaria
12th-17th March 2013

2. During Advent (a time of waiting for the
celebration of the Nativity of Jesus) we bake
the Christmas piernik (gingerbread).

3. Pierniki are made in a variety of
shapes, including hearts, animals,
and St. Nicholas figures. Old
traditional decorations include
handmade stars, decorated
eggshells, colorful paper garlands.

4. Christmas time

5. Wigilia, the Christmas Eve Supper –
24th December
In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day first of feasting
Christmas. The Wigilia feast begins at the appearance
of the first star. On that evening, children watch the
sky anxiously hoping to be the first to cry out, "The
star has come!" Only after it appears, the family
members sit down to a dinner table.

6. Opłatek
The supper begins with the breaking of
the opłatek. Everyone at the table
breaks off a piece and eats it as a symbol
of their unity with Christ. They then
share a piece with each family member.

7. 12 dishes
A tradition exists among many families to serve twelve
different dishes at Wigilia symbolizing the Twelve
Apostles, or perhaps, an odd number of dishes for good
luck.

8. There is no red meat served but fish,
usually carp. The supper, which includes
many traditional dishes and deserts, can
sometimes last for over two hours.

9. „Barszcz” and „uszka”
A traditional Christmas meal in
Poland includes (beetroot
soup) with uszka (ravioli)

10. CARP
The second traditional dish is fish - carp
Carp provides a main component of the
Christmas Eve meal across Poland: fried
carp, carp fillet, carp in aspic etc.

11. Universal Polish Christmas foods are pierogi

12. Our teacher Mrs Henia Feć is
teaching how you should
prepare „pierogi” for Christmas
Eve

15. For Wigilia herring dishes are also
very popular

17. Bread

19. or noodles with poppy seed
(kluski z makiem)

24. Saint Valentine’s Day
Breakfast for people in love

25. Saint Valentine’s Day

27. One week before Lent
on „fat” Thursday
People eat a lot of doughnuts
or carnival cakes.

35. DISHES FOR LENT

42. Babka – Easter sponge cake

43. Easter - Mazurek

51. 1. No meat if you are 14 or older
Fish is permitted, as are eggs, milk, cheese,
etc. But no chicken, steak or hamburgers -
animal organs and meat should be avoided.

52. 2. Fasting if you are 18 to 59
Those between the ages of 18 to 59 are
expected to fast. This doesn't mean eating
nothing, however; rather, it means eating
less than usual. You should eat one full meal
and two smaller meals that, combined, equal
less than the main meal. Snacking and eating
between meals are not allowed.

53. However, there are some exceptions to these
rules. Those who are sick, pregnant or
nursing; those who perform manual labor;
and those who have other physical or mental
health limitations do not have to fast and
may eat meat if necessary.

54. During Lent, Catholics are to abstain from
meat on Fridays as well.

56. Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve Catholics shouldn’t
eat meat.
But they can eat fish.

57. Thank You for watching 
Activities for the meeting in Bulgaria were prepared by Students from
Primary School nr 8 in Chrzanów, Poland:
Presentation and film prepared by students:
Janek Filipski and Aleksander Potocki
and the teachers:
Bernadetta Utzig
Henryka Feć
Anna Oprządek
(there ‘s also Polish film „Special food for special occasions”