BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture Polish Culture Question about new traditions to European visitors

Guys,

just the question. It seems that all our Polish visitors know about Halloween. To what degree a Halloween is already celebrated in Poland? Do you have Halloween parties? Do kids dress up as witches?

The tradition of Valentine Day spread all over through Poland very quickly, I remember I learnt about Valentine Day somewhere in late 80-es and it the beginning of 90-es it almost replaced the Womens DAy!

Are there any attempts to introduce Thanksgiving Day in Poland ? What about Holland?

Jaga
As you know I am not resident in Poland but in UK, but just to add my twopennyworth - Halloween evening is the time the kids dress up and come round as many houses as they can for 'Trick or Treat' - but this year I noticed there were many fewer than in recent years (the Police issued warnings about children going out unaccompanied because of the attacks these last couple of years on young (and old) people. All Saints and/or All Souls are not public holidays - I assume Catholics go to early mass before work (???) on All Saints. And that is about it. Almost atheistic here, isn't it! Fortunately my 'Church' does not require a building with a spire or steeple!
Leslie

Leslie,

thank you for the quick update about English traditions. I guess, I did not specifically asked for an update from England because Englad is closer to America than to Europe <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> just joking

Some young people go to pubs dressed up for monsters and Haloween-related creatures, but it is still uncommon in Poland. Every now and then you may spot a pumpkin with a candle inside, but also not often. I guess the attitude towards Haloween and All Saints' Day somehow divides Poles into young, fun-loving, careless, cosmopolitan ones and those older, tradition-loving, more serious about life and religion.

Halloween in Russia is still basically a "new fad" - college students seem to enjoy it the most. But it has nowhere near the popularity as in the U.S., and in fact, in recent years the interest actually seems to be wearing off. Not a single mention of it on TV this year, actually, that I could find.