Palenie Marzanny

After a few rainy days, I really appreciated the sudden change of weather. I had a feeling, it might have had something to do with the Polish custom of burning Marzanna.

On Wednesday (20.03) a group of students made 4 straw dolls symbolizing Marzanna – the Slavic goddess of winter.

On Thursday (21.03), the first day of spring, the dolls were set on fire in a ritual called “palenie Marzanny” [the burning of Marzanna].

To summon (invite) Lady Spring and complete the ritual, children and teachers were chanting a Polish rhyme.

Unfortunately, the sudden weather breakdown we experienced a few days after the ritual proves that the burning of Marzanna is nothing else than just a bit of fun. It doesn't anyhow influence the change of seasons. 

Would you like to learn more about Polish customs and culture? 

Join Polish Culture Club, every Wednesday 5 pm.