Postcard Poland
I help you discover Polish culture, Polish traditions, and the best spots to travel in Poland. Your journey starts here.
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Recent Blog Posts
Something for everyone - scroll for some of my recent blog posts.
How Does Poland Celebrate Halloween?
Is Halloween celebrated in Poland? And if Poland celebrates Halloween, how? Read on to find out how the rapid commercialization of American Halloween in Europe is changing Polish autumn traditions.
Polish Fonts
The Polish contribution to graphic design is pretty impressive, so it’s no surprise that it would make its mark on typography. Click for some typefaces that you may have seen or used that have their roots in Poland.
Dziady: The Slavic Celebration of the Dead
Although Halloween in the American sense has been celebrated in Poland only in the last 20 years or so, Polish tradition has always had a celebration of the dead on 31 October, stemming back to its pagan roots.
The Polish Apple: From Seed to Cider
Can a fruit be considered culture? Indeed, it can – if that fruit is an apple and you happen to be Polish! The apple is a huge driver of the Polish agricultural economy and recently Poles have identified a new way to capitalize on its success: cider.
Runway the Polish Way: 5 Fashion Designers You Didn't Know Were Polish
Poland represents not just in modeling but also in fashion design. Here are the high fashion and prêt-à-porter brands that have Polish designers at their helm.
The Gold of the North: Polish Baltic Amber
Poland’s Baltic coast is ideal for finding amber. Read on to find out how this gemstone came to be and the many uses and myths surrounding it.
Midsummer’s Night Magic: Poland’s Noc Kupały
Taking place during the shortest night of the year, Noc Kupały involves rituals of fire and water, both sources of cleaning.
5 Things to See and Do in Gdańsk, Poland
If you're ready to deepen your exploration of Gdańsk, here are five places from my recent trip to Gdańsk that you shouldn't miss.
Gdańsk: Gateway to Northern Poland
Recently, I spent a week in Gdańsk and the surrounding area. Read on for what you should see in the heart of the city and how to use your trip to Gdańsk as a launchpad to explore northern Poland.
Majówka: The Long Holiday Weekend
The first three days of May are known as majówka in Poland. This series of public holidays have come to be know as the official start to the grilling season. But more than celebrate spring, majówka celebrates Labor Day (Święto Pracy), Flag Day (Dzień Flagi), and Constitution Day (Święto Narodowe 3 Maja).
Pisanki: Polish Easter Eggs
Pisanki are traditional Polish Easter eggs that are elaborately decorated in bright colors and traditional folk patterns, either representing a region or simply general motifs of spring and nature. There is a long and rich history to this tradition, with its roots reaching back to Poland’s pagan beliefs.
The Coming of Spring in Poland: Marzanna and Prima Aprilis
To celebrate the coming of the new season and everything it traditionally symbolizes – rebirth and renewal as well as optimism and joy, Poles take part in two popular traditions: the burning or drowning of Marzanna and prima aprilis.
Zofia Stryjeńska: Polish Art Deco's Most-Known Unknown
Zofia Stryjeńska's life was marked by extreme highs and lows but her devotion to art never wavered. Her Art Deco works were everywhere in interwar Poland but, despite her popularity, she struggled both professionally and personally.
Fit for the Nation: Polish Sportswomen of the Interwar Period
New rhetoric about the human body emerged after the First World War. The body became a central focus, becoming a metaphor for the strength of a nation. Polish women were encouraged to become strong and fit, their excellence being a positive reflection on the young Polish nation.
The Moral Cleanup of the Nation
During the interwar period, the Polish government established the women’s police force dedicated to combating the moral degradation of the country. These women worked tirelessly, fulfilling a role they believed would help strengthen the nation by curtailing the spread of prostitution and human trafficking.
Preserving a Polish Past: Izabela Czartoryska and the First National Museum
A prominent figure during the Polish Enlightenment, Izabela Czartoryska founded the first national museum in Poland in the early 19th century, quite literally in her own back garden.
The Sweetest Day of the Year: Tłusty Czwartek
Late winter signals the arrival of… the best holiday in the Polish calendar! Moreso than Valentine’s Day, Tłusty Czwartek is the sweetest day of the year. The holiday celebrates the end of Carnival and the beginning of the Lenten season.
5 Architectural Gems in Wrocław
I’ve collected a few modern and post-modern spots as well as their histories – some of them are quite wacky! – in one post.
Polish Sweet Tooth:
A Broad History of Sugar, Chocolate, and Confections in Poland
It was during the mid 19th century when the most famous and still well-known today Polish confectioners – Blikle, Wedel, and Wawel (originally Piasecki) – first opened their doors.
Ostrów Tumski: What to See on Wrocław's Cathedral Island
Undoubtedly, one of the most famous – and stunning – sights of Wrocław is the view of Ostrów Tumski, Cathedral Island. If you're looking to visit, find out what you shouldn't miss in this historic and beautiful part of the city.
So You’ve Been Invited to – or are Planning – a Polish Wedding
Polish weddings celebrations are a big deal – they are just as much a celebration for the whole family and all the guests as they are a celebration of the bride and groom. Here are only a few Polish wedding traditions and customs that make the celebration so unique.
Kulig: A Sleigh Ride as Protest?
Winter is known for its festive activities – baking cookies, decorating the Christmas tree, stringing lights, and… attending a sleigh ride party as a form of civil resistance against the partitioning powers of your country.
Protestant Poland: Wrocław's Bridge with Two Names
In the heart of the city, near the market square, lies a cathedral with a long Protestant history as well as two legends that draw the eyes of passerby up to its two towers and the bridge connecting them.
The Largest Castle in the World: Malbork Castle
The largest castle in the world is located in Malbork, Poland. Although impressive in its size, its history is just as fascinating. Before you visit, find out all you need to know, as well as the little details that make it so unique.
Kolęda: An (Old) New Year Tradition in Poland
The tradition of Polish caroling, kolędowanie, is how early Poles would offer blessings of prosperity and success and usher in the new year.
Is There a Traditional Polish Santa Claus?
Who comes to visit Polish children and brings them gifts on Christmas Eve? Does the man in the red suit look different in Poland? You may be surprised at the answers; read on to find out.
The 5 Most Beautiful Spots in Wrocław at Christmas
Read on for the places you can't miss if you're looking for a cozy way to celebrate the season.
A Pagan Polish Christmas Eve
Most Poles don’t know or don’t give thought to what they celebrate on Christmas Eve, known as Wigilia, and that they are carrying on the pagan traditions of their forefathers when they sit down to dinner.
The Famous and Infamous Guests of Hotel Monopol
This turn-of-the-century hotel on Świdnica Street had a cast of characters checking out and checking in.
Polish Golden Autumn
Polish Golden Autumn
Autumn is officially the start of the cozy season – teas and herbal infusions are abundant. The scent of bonfires and smoke coming out of chimneys fills the air. Autumn is the most perfect season.
Andrzejki: A Night of Fortune Telling
During the long, chilly night of 29 November, Polish people get together for Andrzejki, the eve of St. Andrew’s Day. This is the one night of the year for fortune-telling and magic with roots in paganism.
