![\"\"](\"https:\/\/muzeumpolonii.uw.edu.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/Christmas_tree.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In Poland,\u00a0<\/span>Christmas Eve<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>is called\u00a0<\/span>Wigilia<\/span>\u00a0\u2014 one of the most important and beautiful traditions of the year.\u00a0<\/span>The tradition includes decorating the Christmas tree and having a family\u00a0supper.<\/span> The C<\/span>hristmas tree is decorated on Christmas Eve morning (24 December).\u00a0It often\u00a0include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0Glass\u00a0baubles\u00a0(hand-painted)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0Straw\u00a0ornaments\u00a0\u2014\u00a0symbolizing\u00a0the\u00a0Nativity<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0Paper\u00a0chains\u00a0made\u00a0by\u00a0children<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0Gingerbread\u00a0cookies<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0Candies\u00a0wrapped\u00a0in\u00a0colorful\u00a0foil<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0Handmade\u00a0ornaments<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0Lights\u00a0(formerly\u00a0candles,\u00a0now\u00a0electric)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0Tinsel\u00a0or\u00a0angel\u00a0hair<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0A star\u00a0or\u00a0angel\u00a0on top<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The evergreen tree symbolizes life and hope. The star at the top symbolizes guidance and light. Straw decorations remind people of the stable in Bethlehem. The Christmas tree<\/span>\u00a0stays until Epiphany (January 6).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Christmas Eve\u00a0<\/span>supper<\/span>\u00a0starts at the appearance of the first star in the sky, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Breaking\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>op\u0142atek<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before\u00a0anyone\u00a0eats, the family\u00a0shares\u00a0a\u00a0<\/span>thin\u00a0wafer\u00a0(op\u0142atek)<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0exchanging\u00a0wishes\u00a0for\u00a0health,\u00a0peace, and prosperity.\u00a0This\u00a0is\u00a0considered\u00a0the most\u00a0meaningful\u00a0moment of the\u00a0evening.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0<\/span><\/b>An\u00a0extra seat<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A place\u00a0is\u00a0often\u00a0set for\u00a0an\u00a0unexpected\u00a0guest\u00a0\u2014 a symbol of\u00a0hospitality\u00a0and\u00a0remembrance\u00a0of\u00a0absent\u00a0loved\u00a0ones.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Many\u00a0families\u00a0place a bit of\u00a0hay\u00a0under\u00a0the\u00a0tablecloth\u00a0to\u00a0remember\u00a0the\u00a0humble\u00a0birthplace\u00a0of\u00a0Jesus.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Meatless,\u00a0symbolic\u00a0dishes<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Wigilia\u00a0always\u00a0features\u00a012\u00a0meatless\u00a0dishes,\u00a0representing\u00a0the\u00a0apostles\u00a0or\u00a0the\u00a0months\u00a0of the\u00a0year.\u00a0Common\u00a0dishes\u00a0include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50<\/span><\/b> Barszcz (c<\/span><\/i>lear beetroot soup)<\/span>\u00a0with tiny mushroom-filled dumplings<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50<\/span><\/b> Zupa grzybowa (forest mushroom soup)<\/span>.<\/span><\/i> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Carp<\/span>\u00a0–\u00a0fried\u00a0breaded\u00a0fillets\u00a0or\u00a0in\u00a0jelly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Herring<\/span>\u00a0– with onion, with cream and apple,\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0oil\u00a0with\u00a0spices<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Pierogi<\/span>\u00a0(dumplings\u00a0with\u00a0cabbage\u00a0and\u00a0mushrooms)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Go\u0142\u0105bki\u00a0(cabbage\u00a0rolls\u00a0stuffed\u00a0with\u00a0groats\u00a0and\u00a0mushrooms).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50<\/span><\/b> Kapusta z grochem (cabbage with split peas).<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Bigos (a\u00a0meatless\u00a0version of bigos,\u00a0often\u00a0with\u00a0mushrooms\u00a0and\u00a0dried\u00a0plums).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Kutia<\/span>\u00a0(wheat,\u00a0poppy\u00a0seeds,\u00a0honey,\u00a0nuts, and\u00a0dried\u00a0fruits)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50 Makowiec (poppyseed\u00a0roll\u00a0\u2014 the most\u00a0iconic\u00a0Polish\u00a0Christmas\u00a0dessert).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0Piernik\u00a0(honey-spice gingerbread, often baked days in advance).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2b50\u00a0Kompot\u00a0(dried fruit compote \u2014 smoky, sweet, and deeply associated with\u00a0Wigilia).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After supper, families often sing\u00a0<\/span>kol\u0119dy<\/span>\u00a0(carols). Later, many attend\u00a0<\/span>Pasterka<\/span>,\u00a0the midnight\u00a0Mass.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"