As the spring holidays in Poland come to a close, we would like to introduce all of you to a certain local tradition you might find quite entertaining, especially if you have noticed it taking place today.
Wet Monday is a West Slavic celebration, currently associated with Easter. Having its origin as a welcoming of Spring, the earliest iteration was one of lightly stroking people’s legs with so-called here “kitten willows” (no longer popular in Poland) or splashing them with cold water – all to let go of illnesses and as a form of cleansing. Due to beliefs connecting the power of water with growth of families, most of the receivers were marriageable ladies. Through evolving across modern history, the event became safer and much more inclusive. Eventually, it became often the case they were able to return the “favor” and nowadays everyone can join in on the fun – currently also through the use of perfume and cologne water. When it comes to the techniques – things have changed too, from the old times of using buckets, to the modern water guns, bottles, balloons, and squirting Easter eggs. Even with a now smaller relevance, such early Spring water fights tend to be enjoyed both by youth and those young at heart.
The Dyngus Day (as it is popularly called by the American Polonia in states like Wisconsin, Ohio, and New York) is also popular, though often in largely different forms, in the Moravia region of Czechia (from where come the first written quotes relating to the ceremony, courtesy of Konrad Waldhauser), Slovakia, Hungary, and some areas in west Ukraine. Similar celebrations also take place in other cultures – such as the ones of the similarly Slavic Bulgaria, Mexico (on Easter Saturday) and during the Thai New Year, taking place in the middle of April.
We, the team of OPOlink.pl, hope you have spent the recent days in a positive way, and that newfound Spring energy will let you all do amazing things. Apart from that, we are happy to announce, that since yesterday – OPOlink.pl is now officially one year old. (We will soon announce further information relating to that fact.)
(photo: Pixabay)
