online bulletin
| Polish carnival with a kulig sleighing party |
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| Thursday, 28 January 2010 21:04 |
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The carnival in Poland is not as grand as the one in Brasil. Winter weather does not favour play and parties.
Despite which, for centuries most balls, parties and meetings have been organised during this period, and their programme has to fit the winter weather . In Poland the carnival traditionally started after the Three Kings Day, 6th January, and ended on Tuesday before the Ash Wednesday that opens the Lent period. In Poland the carnival was characterised by all-night parties and feasts. The tables were groaning with meat dishes. Game dishes were most popular. The dishes were fat, fried in lard, which was even used in the cakes. Strong alcoholic beverages were served, like vodka or mead. All this was accompanied by sleighing parties and hunting trips. Today the tradition is partly forgotten. The cold and unpleasant climate does not favour such play. Nevertheless, there are more parties in the carnival period, which starts on New Year’s Eve, than any other parts of the year. Everyone goes to a party or ball at least once. Such carnival parties are often organised by companies for their employees, and a special New Year’s event is organised by the Mayor of Poznan. This year’s snowy winter also favours organisation of sleighing parties (‘kulig’ in Polish). These crazy sleigh rides have been held for centuries. Polish aristocracy would often ride in beautifully adorned sleighs. The frost and cold were not a problem, because the passengers wore furs, and the sleighs were lined with bear skins. Also, it was the Highlanders who were organising the sleigh rides. The tradition survives till this day. If the weather allows, the inns, boarding houses, and studs organise sleigh rides. Many travel agencies have them in their offer. A kulig usually starts at noon, when it is frosty and snowy outside, and the winter sun shines the strongest. Often, children will connect their sledges to the sleigh. It is necessary then to remember about their safety and the horses can not be urged on too much, so as to avoid accidents. The ride usually lasts for hours and ends at dusk. If we do not want to end the party, we can light torches – a night-time kulig with burning torches is much more picturesque. The party ends with a bonfire, roasted lamb and mulled wine. Traditionally the carnival ended with a ‘Fat Week’, a period of exceptional gorging and frantic play. Today, we have only ‘Fat Thursday’ left, the last Thursday before Lent. On that day the confectioners in Poznan and around the country sell huge amounts of doughnuts, and deep fried, jam-filled dough balls. Although, they are very calorific, on that day everyone has to try them! The carnival ends with the traditional Podkoziołek party, a Tuesday night party preceding the Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, the party ends at midnight. |
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