Sunday, September 30, 2007

Theme Day - tombstones/cemetry

Being a Roman Catholic country, the many cemetries here in Poland all play a vital role in Polish culture. Halloween is not celebrated here (though the many language schools and pubs in Poland do try and cash in on this tacky holiday). Instead like every other Roman Catholic country, the Poles celebrate All Saints' Day (1st November), which is a far more serious occassion. Families flock from all their towns to attend the graves of their loved ones. Hundreds of flowers are bought, candles are lit and graves are tidied. Even long forgotten graves are given attention. It's a very moving experience to walk late at night through a cemetary on All Saints' Day and see all the twinkling lights of the candles. All Saints' Day may be a sombre occassion...but it is also about families coming together. After they visit the graves, they all unite for a family dinner to remember their loved ones.

A truly special day.


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