Polish Holidays

Women's Day (March 8th)
This day is still very popular as it used to be in the communist times. It is celebrated on March the 8th of each year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Started as a political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries (primarily Russia and the countries of former Soviet block). In some celebrations, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love to the women around them.

Women's Day was very popular during communistic times and has been is celebrated more as a national holiday for all women, whether they are 8, or 80 years old. At that day, all women in Poland receive special attention usually by getting a flower – carnation and a pair of stockings. In addition to flowers and a pair of stockings, they sometimes receive greeting cards, which are not that popular in Poland as they are in North America. On May 8, 1965 by the decree of the USSR Presidium of the Supreme Soviet International, Women's Day was declared as a non working day in the USSR "in commemoration of the outstanding merits of Soviet women in communistic construction, in the defense of their Motherland during the Great Patriotic War, in their heroism and selflessness at the front and in the rear, and also marking the great contribution of women to strengthening friendship between peoples, and the struggle for peace. But still, women's day must be celebrated as are other holidays."

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the celebrations of International Women’s Day were deserted in Armenia. April 7 was declared as state holiday of ‘Beauty and Motherhood’. In Italy, on International Women’s day, men offer yellow mimosas to women as special gifts. Yellow mimosas and chocolates are the most common presents on March 8, in Russia.

In the Asia, the custom of giving women flowers still prevails on the International Women’s Day. Sometimes, Women get gifts from their employers. School children are often brought presentations for their teachers.

In Portugal and Romania, groups of women celebrates "women-only" dinners and parties at the night of 8 March. In India, International Women’s Day held a lot of significance. So many parties are held during International Women’s Day. This is represented the power of women in this era and their vital role in this society.

In 1975, The United Nations has been started a celebration to International Womens Day. The 2005 Congress of the British Trades Union Congress strongly approved a resolution calling for International Women’s Day to be nominated a public holiday in the United Kingdom.

Polish Name Day Tradition
Every day of the Polish calendar has a name of a Saint associated with it. On this day, Poles over the age of thirteen with the same name, celebrate their "Name Day." ("Imieniny" in Polish). It's a special time for friends to stop and gather and typically gifts are given. You should always remember someone's name day and call and wish them "Wyszstkiego Najlepszego!" Name Day originated when Polish people started naming their children after Saints. Typically, they would choose the name of a Saint that had a feast day close to the birth date of their child.

Smingus Dyngus
Smingus Dyngus is celebrated on "Easter Monday." On this holiday, it is a tradition to try and pour water on friends and family. In addition to catching people by surprise, it's also a day where groups of people get together and soak each other on purpose! It's thought that those who got thoroughly drenched were those who would be blessed with good fortune. They would be cleansed of all evil and illnesses.