Wood polychrome in St. Leonard's Church, Lipnica Murowana, dating from the 15th centuryEaster celebrations are getting under way in Poland, with many attending Easter Vigils across the country. Churches on Sunday will ring out the Resurrection of Christ, the most important day in the liturgical calendar.
On Saturday, many Poles go to church with an Easter basket, known as a święconka, which traditionally contains coloured eggs, pisanki, as well as salt, horseradish, sausage, bread and other regional variations on a theme.
On Easter Sunday, Poles across the country and abroad will sit down for a celebratory breakfast, usually served with cold meats and other specialties.
Many traditions are observed up and down the country in the run-up as well as during Easter.
For a look into a couple of these traditions, particularly in southern Poland, we invite you to listen to a special programme for this Easter period, beginning from Palm Sunday up until Easter Sunday.
First, we go to Lipnica Murowana, a village 70 km south-east of Krakow, where every year there is a competition for the tallest palms, some of which exceed 30 metres. (Picture right).
Traditional dress in Małopolska, southern Poland
In Tarnów, 80 km due east of Krakow, there is the annual pisanki competition, hosted by the Ethnographic Museum there. Thousands of eggs and over 200 participants, all together in a celebration of egg painting and decorating! (Picture below)
Also in the programme, we talk to Father Marek Krawczyk CM, a missionary from the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Krakow.
Best Easter Wishes from all of us at Polish Radio's External Service!
(jb)