Easter - Polish

Hello! I am Polish Easter. In the Polish language, my name is Wielkanoc. I am a happy holiday that arrives in the springtime when the world is waking up from winter. My arrival is a time for color, family, and fun traditions.

To get ready for me, many families decorate eggs. These special eggs are called pisanki. First, someone uses warm, melted wax to draw beautiful pictures on the eggshells. They might draw flowers, suns, or other pretty patterns. After the wax drawing is done, they dip the eggs into bowls of bright paint. The colors can be red, yellow, blue, or green. When the eggs come out, they are covered in amazing designs. These colorful pisanki are a way to celebrate all the new life that spring brings.

On the Saturday before Easter Sunday, families prepare special baskets for me. The baskets are called święconka. Inside, they place some of their beautiful pisanki. They also add other important foods. There is bread, a piece of sausage, and a little bit of salt. A very special item in the basket is a small lamb, which is often made from sugar or butter. Families carry their baskets to church, where the food is blessed. This blessed food will be shared during the big Easter meal.

My fun doesn't end on Sunday! The day after Easter is a very playful day called Śmigus-Dyngus. Many people call it Wet Monday. On this day, friends and family members playfully splash each other with water. They might use little water squirters or just their hands. It is a very old and happy tradition. Splashing water is a joyful way for everyone to celebrate my arrival and the fresh start of spring.