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"I must have been inspired" Joseph Conrad
tradition

All I want for Christmas is…tunes: TFN takes a look at the family tradition of carol singing

While Poland has a myriad of beautiful Christmas customs, singing carols is perhaps the most heart-warming of them all. Filip Leszkowicz

The oldest Christmas carol in Poland dates back to 1424 and was called Zdrów Bądź, Królu Anjelski (Praised Be, Lord of Angels). Since then the tradition has thrived, with one carol, Bóg Się Rodzi (God is Born) almost becoming Poland’s national anthem in 1792.

What makes Toruń’s gingerbread the best in the world?

Toruń’s gingerbread tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, with the first mention of it coming in 1380 when a baker named Niclos Czan was recorded as producing the delicacy.

Santa Claus is coming to town… but in Poland, the version that arrives depends on where you live

Whilst Święty Mikołaj (Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus) still remains the most widespread, families in some parts of Poland recognise visits from Gwiazdor (‘Starman’), Dziadek Mróz (Grandfather Frost), Aniołek (the Angel), Dzieciątko (the child) and Gwiazdka (star).

Corpus Christi celebrations explode into colour

The small town of Łowicz will erupt into colour today as locals take to the streets to celebrate Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało). 

Egg-cellent: the fantastic traditions of a Polish Easter

In Poland the Easter traditions come rich, thick and fast. From the blessing of baskets of food to pouring water over women, the country boasts a glorious mix of traditions that set the Easter holiday apart from all others.

Egg-cellent! Stunning display of decorative Easter eggs honour 1,000-year-old Silesian tradition

Hosted by the Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom, the exhibition seeks to spotlight an ancient custom relating to so-called Kroszonki, elaborately painted eggs engraved with often floral motifs.

New exhibition reveals Poland’s Xmas traditions in 60s and 70s

How Poland celebrated Christmas in the 1960s and 1970s is the subject of a fascinating new exhibition organised by the Polish Press Agency (PAP).

Mysterious ‘Bearded Men of Sławatycze’ tradition added to list of Intangible Cultural Heritage

On the last three days of December, men in the village of Sławatycze dress up in carefully crafted costumes, wear fake beards and chase young women and children with sticks to say goodbye to the old year. But no one can remember how or when it started. 

Crowds descend on Warsaw’s Royal Castle as Kraków’s glamorous and flamboyant ‘szopki’ tradition goes on show

The UNESCO recognised tradition of making stunningly intricate and colourful models of nativity scenes set within the Kraków cityscape dates back to the 19th century when the idea was initiated one winter among local unemployed bricklayers and carpenters.

Beer still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah! TFN steps back in time to explore some of Warsaw’s oldest bars

For a minority, the essence of the weekend rests in the foggy little bars that were established during Communism. Though fast dwindling in number, and left utterly winded by the lockdown, these have tapped a new wave of fans among a small group of people.

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Culture | Life

Jerzy Skolimowski's ‘emotional’ road movie about a melancholic donkey is nominated for 2023 Oscars

Chosen alongside All Quiet on the Western Front, Santiago Mitre's Argentina 1985, and the Banshees of Inisherin, Skolimowski’s film is billed as a dark exploration of humanity, technology and nature.

The first report:

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Exclusive

Rzeszów scientists develop phone battery that charges in eight minutes and lasts 68 YEARS!

Produced by The Batteries, the new technology has already been dubbed “a game changer” by the industry press, with the firm hoping to begin large-scale production once work on their “pilot factory” is finished.

The Debrief
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