The Warsaw Carnival is the first festival of the year to be celebrated in the city. An eclectic range of events and celebrations are held all over the capital in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. As much eating, alcohol and music as one person can handle are consumed. Later in March, Warsaw celebrates the Drowning of Marzanna. This is a very entertaining folk celebration, based on ancient pagan beliefs. These dictated that in order to ward off sinister spirits, banish the cold weather and usher in a warmer climate a Marzanna doll is thrown on the fire before being drowned. This doll is said to be a witch with malevolent intentions. Before Easter, in the days between the end of March and start of April, the Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival is celebrated. This event commemorates the great composer, who is revered as a genius around the world to this day. A classical extravaganzas is hosted, where the best musicians and conductors perform.
On Palm Sunday, the day which marks the start of Easter, the priests of Warsaw preside over religious marches, during which they bless sticks and boughs of trees that have been colourfully painted and decorated. During Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are all celebrated with daily rituals and masses. On Easter Sunday, people live gifts of food at churches and shrines. Each food has a religious significance; traditionally prepared lamb symbolizing Christ, salt symbolizes the Passion of Christ, Bread stands for Corpus Christi and beautifully painted eggs symbolize life, love, fertility and strength. On April 19, crowds gather to leave bouquets at the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes Monument and the Umschlagplatz Monument. A ceremony is held to remember those who fought against the Nazis in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 and the hundreds of thousands who died during World War II.
In June, the Mozart Festival is held. To celebrate, over 20 concerts of Mozart's works are performed at the Warsaw Chamber Opera. This opera house stands alone in hosting all of the composer's operatic works. Later in the month, Midsummer's Eve (Slaska - Noc Swietojanska) is marked throughout Warsaw with a Midsummer Market serving warming drink and food. Complimentary gigs are held where the large crowds dance to their hearts' content, along with traditional costume competitions. Children wear floral crowns and a large floral wreath is placed in the Vistula River. In the evening a pyrotechnics display is held and concerts are hosted.
In September, the Warsaw Autumn Festival is held in a number of locations around the capital city. Musicians come here from around the world to be part of the citywide celebrations, which are held in great esteem globally. As well as concerts, there are many conferences, conventions, lectures and exhibitions. In October, the city celebrates the Warsaw Film Festival. Films set in Poland and/or by Polish directors have for many years been critically acclaimed around the world. Roman Polanski's first works were shown at the capital's film festivals. It is where new actors and directors are discovered. Art house films with controversial or unique themes, which may otherwise be out of place in a mainstream cinema can be properly appreciated here with like-minded people in film houses around the city.
You know it's Christmas in Poland's capital city when the Warsaw Christmas Fair kicks off in the Old Town. Here, quaint market stalls selling all manner of goods, from gifts to keepsakes, sweet treats and savoury foods to local delicacies. All around the district there is a distinct Christmas vibe. This is thanks to the aroma of mulled wine and other festive foods hanging in the air, and the twinkling fairy lights that illuminate the streets once the sun goes down. A giant Christmas tree is erected in Zamkowy Square for all to enjoy, whether they live here or are visiting to soak up the festive atmosphere.
Christine Brookes writes for various travel journals and websites including Hotel Reservations Global where visitors can find good deals on Hotels in Warsaw from a wide range of hotels in Poland.
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