On January 6th, Poland will celebrate Epiphany or “Trzech Króli” (Three Kings), an annual national holiday to mark the time when the three wise men (kings) visited baby Jesus. In Poland, Trzech Króli is celebrated in grand fashion, with huge parades held welcoming the Wise Men, often riding on camels or horses. The Wise Men pass out sweets, children process in renaissance wear, carols are sung, and living nativity scenes are enacted, pointing to the country’s Catholic heritage. Children may also dress in colors signifying Europe, Asia, and Africa (the supposed homes of the Wise Men) and at the end of the parade route, church leaders often preach on the spiritual significance of the Epiphany. In 2011 Polish Parliament, restored Epiphany as an official non-working national public holiday in Poland for the first time since it was cancelled under communism fifty years before. Poles take small boxes containing chalk, a gold ring, incense and a piece of amber, in memory of the gifts of the Magi, to church to be blessed. And at home, they inscribe K+M+B+ and the year with the blessed chalk above every door in the house, according to tradition, to provide protection against illness and misfortune for those within. The letters, with a cross after each one, are said to stand for the traditionally applied names of the Three Kings in Polish - Kacper, Melchior and Baltazar. They remain above the doors all year until they are inadvertently dusted off or replaced by new markings the next year. A Polish style Three Kings cake is served with a coin or almond baked inside. The one who gets it is king or queen for the day, signified by wearing the paper crown that decorates the cake. According to Polish tradition this person will be lucky in the coming year. Recipes vary by region. Some serve a French-type puff pastry cake with almond paste filling, others favor a sponge cake with almond cream filling, and yet others enjoy a light fruitcake.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 00:01:50 +0000
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