1.POLAND
Katarzyna Stachniuk

2. Presentation plan
General information about Poland
History in brief
Geography in brief
Aspects of Polish culture
Famous Poles
Stereotypes
Interesting facts
Cracow
3. Basic information
Capital:Warsaw
Surface:322 576 km (68th in the world)
Population:38 186 000 (34th; ; 96.7% Poles)
Political system:parliamentary democracy
Neighbors:Germany,Czech Republic,Slovakia,Ukraine,Belarus,Lithuania,Russia
Main religion:roman Catholicism,89% Poles
Member of:EU (since 2004),NATO,WTO,OECD,UN and other
4. Administrative division: 16 voivodeships (provinces)
5. Basic information - economy
GDP per capita: 12 575 $ (61% of the EU average in 2009)
With collapse of communism Poland switched from centrally planned economy to market based economy
Is considered to be most healthiest economy of the post communist countries
GDP structure:agriculture 2.8%;industry 31.7%;services 65.6%
Major trading partners:EU (mainly Germany),Russia
Main export goods:furniture,cars, clothing, ships, coal, machinery, chemicals
Main import goods:cars, electronic goods, fuels
Currency:zoty (PLN)
6. History
Name Poland comes from the name of one of the West Slavic tribes who lived in the region between rivers Vistula and Oder
Formation of Poland as a territorial entity began in the middle of 10th century by joining West Slavics under the Piast dynasty
The formal date treated as origin of Poland is 966 adoption of Catholic Christianity by fist ruler, Mieszko I
In 1025 Poland became kingdom
From 12th to 14th century Poland was divided into regions ruled by Piast dukes
After consolidation Poland was ruled by Jagiellonians
From 1385 Poland and Lithuania were joined in personal union
In 1569 the next union with Lithuania was signed, both countries created Republic of the Two Nations, also known as Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth
7. History
In 18th century Poland was losing independence; Russian Empire, Kingdom of Prussia and Habsburg Austria took Poland under control in three Partitions (1772, 1793, 1795)
In 1791 there was established Constitution of 3rd May, first in modern Europe and second in the world (after US constitution)
In 1795 Poland lost independence for 123 years
The 19th century was a time of national insurrections,that showed a great patriotism and decreased repressions
Poland became independent republic 11.11.1918
In the time between wars Poland was called Second Republic
8. Fragment of painting by J. Matejko presenting the passing of Constitution of 3rdMay
9. History
On 1.09.1939 Poland was attacked by Germany,on 17.09.1939 by Soviet Russia
As a result of German military supremacy,Poland lost the first stages of war and created emigration government in France
To 1944 Poland was occupied by Germany.About 6 mln (1/5) Poles lost their lives duringWorldWar II.Many of them (especially Jews) perished in nazi concentration camps,a lot of Poles were deported to north Russia
After war Poland became Peoples Republic under Soviet Communist dominance
Communism in Poland ended in 1989, after many strikes and Round Table Talks
In1999 Poland became a member of NATO,in 2004 EU
10. Geography basic information
Plain country (average elevation 173 m) with uplands and mountains in the south
Highest peak: Rysy (2499 m)
Longest river:Vistula (pol. Wisa) 1047 km
Climate: transitional climate zone between the oceanic temperate climate in the west and the continental temperate climate in the east; average temperature in winter between -6 and 0C, in summer 16-20 C
11. Main geographical regions
Pomerania
Kashubian Lake District
Mazurian Lake District
Silesia
Mazovia
Sudetes
Beskids (part of Carpathian Mountains)
Tatra Mountains
12. POMERANIA
Koobrzeg
13. Gdask
14. Croocked House in Sopot
15. Castle in Malbork
16. LAKEDISTRICTS
Lake Mamry
17. Lake niardwy
18. MOUNTAINS
Lake Marine Eye in Tatras
19. The Five Lakes Valley
20. Spring in Tatras
21. Castle in Niedzica
22. Jurrasic Park in Batw, witokrzyskie Mountains
23. Polish Culture
National celebrations
Norms & values
Regional cultures Kashubian,Silesian,Mountaineers
Cuisine
Architecture & art
24. National celebrations
National holidays
Day of Constitution of 3rdMay
Independence Day (11thNovember)
InternationalWorkers Day (1stMay)
Other celebrations and traditions
Christmas
Easter
St. Nicholas Day
First day of spring
First day of summer
Juwenalia
25. Christmas traditions
Decorating Christmas tree on Christmas Eve
12 dishes for Christmas Eve dinner
One empty plate for unexpected quest
Gifts under tree
Dishes without meat
Starting dinner when first star appears
Before dinner -sharing of the blessed wafer (pol.opatek) and exchanging wishes
Candle(s) as a symbol of new life
Singing Christmas carols
26. Christmas traditions
KOLDNICY
Groups of children or teenagers dressed as:devil,angel,king Herod,St. Mary and/or other characters connected with birth of Christ
They have big,colorful star
They go from house to house singing Christmas carols
As a payment for bringing good news they ask for sweets
Custom practiced mainly on countryside and in mountain areas
27. Easter traditions
Making Easter eggs each region has own style and technique
Easter breakfast with food blessed during Holy Saturday
In some regions giving small gifts from hare
Easter has less commercial character than Christmas
28. Easter traditions
MIGUS DYNGUS (Easter Monday)
Has less religious character than E. Sunday
Comes from 15th centurys pagan practice
Earlier it symbolized purification and awakening after winter
People spray water on the other
In some regions accompanied by additional practices
29. St. Nicholas Day
6thDecember
Gives gifts only for well-behaving children
Comes inside a house through a chimney,at night
Puts gifts under the pillow or near bed
For naughty children he brings rods
30. First day of spring
21stMarch
Drowning or burning of Marzanna it is a big doll made from straw or rags,bits of clothing and decorated with colorful stuff
Drowning in rivers or burning on squares
Symbolizes end of winter
Name Marzanna comes from pagan times,she was Slavic goddess of death and winter
In 16th and 17th century church authorities tried to prohibit this custom without success
Tradition practicedalso in Czech Republic and Slovakia
31. First day of summer
23/24thJune Midsummer Night/Kupala Day/Wianki
Comes from ancient Slavic celebrations connected with fertility and ritual purification
Girls float wreaths of flowers and try to predict future from the flow patterns of the flowers on the river
Men try to catch wreaths of the girls they love
According to the legend,it is the only night in year when ferns bloom;finding fern flower brings luck
Rare custom nowadays
32. Juwenalia
Students festival
First week of May
Start with 3 4 days trips to the mountains
A lot of concerts and other cultural activities
End with parade of students dressed in funny costumes
After parade mayors of the cities give students keys to citys gates (symbolic)
Each city (or university) has a unique name for Juwenalia, i.e. Medykalia for medical universities
33. Polish norms, values and beliefs
Hospitality A guest in the house, God in the house. This proverb is widespread throughout Poland. Poles like getting together and any guests (especially foreigners) should expect cordial welcome.They prefer inviting guests to home rather to restaurants. Poles may ask their guests personal questions, which is a sign of genuine interest and usually talk a lot about themselves. Very popular custom is exchanging presents e.g. flowers, home made food, books, candies. When giving flowers, it is important to make bouquet from odd number of flowers (even number of flowers is used only for funerals).
34. Polish norms, values and beliefs
Communication patterns Poles in general feel free when exchanging opinions and value direct communication.They usually say what they are thinking.Level of directness depends on the kind of relationship between interlocutors.Body language is very expressive,it may seem to be offensive.Poles show their feelings and emotions publicly, their temperament is well known.Eye contact during conversation is important, but not necessary.People may interrupt others during speaking, but do not touch them (touching hands is allowed only when talking to close friends or relatives).Poles like joking, although they avoid jokes about history and politics.Topics that should be avoided are:religion, drugs, abortion,gays rights etc.
35. Polish norms, values and beliefs
Greetings and public behavior Poles greet each other with handshake. Close friends and family members greet with 3 kisses on the chick,which is allowed also between people from the same sex. The old-fashioned, but still appreciated is greeting woman by men by kissing her hand.
Being punctual is very important.Although, coming 30 minutes late for meeting at somebodys house is not considered to be impolite.
Politeness requires from men opening door for women and generally let women go first.The same rule applies to guests of both sexes.
36. Polish norms, values and beliefs
Getting together families get together to celebrate birthdays and name days.They also meet on weddings,funerals and various anniversaries.During these meetings people enjoy the meal together.
People in Poland prefer strong alcoholic beverages.During meetings with family and/or friends vodka is served undiluted.The most common phrase when saying toasts is Na zdrowie (equivalent of English cheers).Poles are said to be vodka drinkers, but nowadays it does not apply to everybody.
37. Regional culture - Kashubians
West Slavic ethnic group living in Pomerania
Population of 80 000
Use kashubian language which is polish dialect, taught in regional schools
Their old culture survived in architecture and folk crafts
38. Kashubians in regional clothes
39. Examples of kashubians embroidery
40. Regional culture - mountaineers
Indigenous people living in southern Poland, northern Slovakia and northern Czech Republic
Their language is a polish dialect with Slovak words
In their culture Hungarian and Slovak impacts can be seen
Their architecture has distinctive style
41. Mountaineers in traditional clothes
42. Example of mountaineers architecture
43. Example of traditional architecture in Zakopane winters capital of Poland
44. Polish cuisine
It mixes Eastern European and German cuisine traditions with some Russian, Italian,Turkish and Jewish impacts
Rich in meat and winter vegetables
Rich in spices and noodles (kluski)
Traditional cuisine is demanding in preparation
Number of unique regional cuisines
45. Pierogi

Known also in Germany,Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine

46. Dumplings of unleavened dough 47. May be boiled, baked or fried 48. Stuffed with potato filling, ground meat, fruits, sauerkraut, cheese, mushrooms or other ingredients