Easter in Poland is not only a time for joyful celebration, but also an opportunity to delve into the richness of cultural traditions and customs that shape the Polish identity. Traveling through Polish cities, villages, and regions, we can discover countless rituals that give this holiday its unique character. E

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday, preceding Holy Week, is a time when Poles prepare Easter palms. These palms, often made of willow branches or decorated with colorful ribbons and flowers, symbolize the triumph of Christ and are processed during solemn services in many towns.

Blessing of Food

One of the most important customs in Poland is the tradition of blessing food on Holy Saturday. It was believed that the food blessed on this day would acquire special power, ensuring health and success in the coming year. Baskets containing bread, eggs, sausage, salt, and other dishes appear on tables, which are then blessed by the priest during a special ceremony in the church.

Painting Eggs

Painting Easter eggs is a tradition practiced in many countries, but in Poland, it has a particularly rich history and a wide variety of designs. Families gather together to decorate eggs, often using traditional folk motifs or modern techniques such as batik or wax decoration.

Śmigus-Dyngus

On Easter Monday, Poles celebrate Śmigus-Dyngus, which is a form of playful celebration. Traditionally, boys pour water over girls, who in turn can respond in kind. Although this custom has its roots in ancient spring rituals, today it is primarily an opportunity for fun.

Spring Decorations

Spring is a time of nature’s rebirth, so Easter decorations often reflect this theme. Homes are adorned with willow branches, flowers, and traditional Easter decorations such as Easter eggs or Easter palms, symbolizing the victory of life over death.

Holiday Dishes

Easter holidays in Poland are also an opportunity to enjoy traditional dishes. The Easter table often features dishes such as żurek (sour rye soup), white sausage, horseradish, Easter cake, as well as mazurkas and cheesecakes. Each family has its favorite recipes, passed down from generation to generation.

 

1. Żurek (Sour Rye Soup)

Ingredients:

  • 1 liter of water
  • 1-2 slices of rye bread
  • 200g white sausage
  • 2-3 eggs
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon of mustard
  • A few grains of allspice
  • A few bay leaves
  • Some pieces of kielbasa (optional)
  • Chopped dill for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Boil water, add slices of bread, chopped sausage, onion, salt, sugar, vinegar, mustard, allspice, and bay leaves.
  2. Simmer for about 30 minutes over low heat.
  3. Strain the broth, remove the onion, sausage, and spices.
  4. Separate egg yolks from egg whites.
  5. Add beaten egg yolks and butter to the broth, cook for a few minutes.
  6. Separately, hard-boil eggs, slice them.
  7. Serve with egg slices and chopped dill.

2. Babka Wielkanocna (Easter Babka)

Ingredients:

  • 500g all-purpose flour
  • 150g sugar
  • 150g butter
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 20g yeast
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • A pinch of salt
  • A pinch of vanilla sugar
  • 50g raisins or candied fruit (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk with 1 tablespoon of sugar, let it stand for 15 minutes.
  2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and vanilla sugar.
  3. Add melted butter, eggs, lemon zest, and yeast mixture.
  4. Knead elastic dough, adding milk if too dry.
  5. Let the dough rise for about 1-2 hours.
  6. After rising, add raisins or candied fruit if using.
  7. Pour the dough into a babka mold, let rise for another 30 minutes.
  8. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 45-50 minutes until golden brown.
  9. After cooling, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

3. Mazurki (Easter Shortcrust Pastries)

Ingredients (for the dough):

  • 500g all-purpose flour
  • 250g butter
  • 150g powdered sugar
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Ingredients (for the filling):

  • 250g poppy seed filling
  • 150g sugar
  • 100g walnuts or almonds
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Instructions:

  1. Knead the dough with flour, butter, powdered sugar, egg yolks, baking powder, and lemon zest. Refrigerate for an hour.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the poppy seed filling: grind the nuts, mix with poppy seed filling, sugar, eggs, honey, and cocoa.
  3. Roll out the dough and line the bottom of a baking tray.
  4. Spread the poppy seed filling over the dough.
  5. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 40-45 minutes.
  6. After cooling, decorate the mazurek as desired: drizzle with icing, sprinkle with nuts, almonds, or sprinkles.

Enjoy your meal!

 

In Poland, Easter is not only a religious holiday but also an opportunity to build family ties, enjoy tradition, and spend time together. The customs and traditions associated with this holiday are incredibly rich and diverse, making Easter celebrations in Poland unique and joyful.