The team at OPOlink.pl wishes all readers a wonderful rest of the holiday season, filled with joy and laughter. We would also like to present a short summary looking back at the seasonal traditions and staples in our beautiful area.
In Opole, as in much of Poland, the highlight of the season is Christmas Eve, known in Polish as Wigilia. The mostly meat-free dinner on this day traditionally consists of 12 dishes, symbolizing the 12 apostles. These typically include:
- Beet soup (barszcz) served with dumplings
- Carp
- Kutia (a wheat and poppyseed dessert
- Compote or punch made from dried fruits
A key tradition is the sharing of Christmas wafers (opłatek) with loved ones, wishing them happiness and positivity for the new year. Each person breaks off and eats a piece of the other’s wafer as part of the custom.
After the meal and once the first star appears in the night sky, signaling the end of Advent, many families exchange gifts. In some regions, Aniołki (little angels) are said to bring the presents to children. In Upper Silesia, the Dzieciątko (Christ Child) plays the role of the gift-bringer, while in western parts of our country, particularly in Greater Poland, Gwiazdor (a star-man) fulfills this function, often depicted as a figure resembling Santa Claus but with a more rustic, star-carrying appearance. Once the gifts are exchanged, many people attend Pasterka, the traditional midnight Mass.
Opole, along with other cities in Silesia, such as Wrocław, hosts Christmas markets with a German influence, showcasing handmade decorations, local food, and various unique items. Locally, this year’s edition had ended on the 24th. Christmas Day and Boxing Day (taking place today) – often called the “Second Day of Christmas” in Poland (Drugi Dzień Świąt) – are public holidays and are generally spent on family activities, though traditions can vary.
For many people, the season properly begins with Santa Claus Day, or Mikołajki. It is a day celebrated in Poland on December 6th, marking the feast of St. Nicholas. On this date, Święty Mikołaj (Santa Claus) visits children, leaving small gifts like sweets and toys, typically placed under pillows or in shoes, in contrast to the larger presents put under the tree on Christmas Eve.
Tangerines, widely associated with this time of year, became popular during the communist era (PRL) due to their seasonal availability in December. They have since become a delicacy linked with the month in many Polish households.
Another interesting cultural phenomenon is the enduring popularity of the Home Alone franchise. The original, directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes, became a Christmas Eve staple in Poland. Its portrayal of American life resonated with many Poles after the political changes of the early 1990s. For the last 25 years, the film has aired on Polsat almost every Christmas Eve, cementing it as an important holiday tradition. Its sequel is scheduled to air next year on January 1st.
New Year’s Eve, on the other hand, is celebrated by many through taking part in various parties, while others prefer watching festive multi-artist concerts, often organized in bigger cities by local authorities, sometimes with the help of TV stations. These extravaganzas often feature the most popular local performers as well as internationally known acts.
As you can see, this season offers many fascinating traditions worth learning about in our region. We hope you all enjoy the coming weeks as we head into (and start off) 2025!
(photo: Pixabay)
