Thursday Meeting - Wigilie | Christmas Meeting.

Hello! Cześć!
On the 12th of December, we held our Christmas meeting with all the volunteers, coordinators, vice boss, and guests from the Senior Activity Center.

Secret Santa and many more…

Firstly it was about our team, volunteers, and coordinators. We did activities together which were fun and brought us closer. Such as playing games, decorating the Christmas tree together and even making christmassy candleholders. On top of that Secret Santa showed up and gave each of us our presents which put a smile on everyone’s faces. These events are important to keep this community alive and since all of us are abroad, it’s a good reminder to know that we always have a place there.

IB Polska’s vice boss’s speech to guests and volunteers.

Then the guests from the Senior Activity Center came, and our vice boss, Grzegorz gave a speech about IB Polska for the seniors and volunteers. We celebrated with a lunch together. The main course was a traditional Polish beetroot soup with pierogi called Barszcz z Uszkami.

https://www.kwestiasmaku.com/kuchnia_polska/wigilia/barszcz_wigilijny_z_uszkami/przepis.html

Christmas and New Year’s traditions from our countries.

After lunch, we shared our Christmas and New Year’s traditions from our countries. We met with Spain’s, Georgia’s, and Turkey’s different traditions. We got to know that in Spain the Three King’s Day, which is on the 6th of January is more important than Christmas itself. Turkish they don’t celebrate Christmas according to their religion. Georgians celebrate Orthodox New Year which is on the 14th of January.

What we learnt about Polish traditions?

And of course, we get to know Polish traditions, so we can unite with the Christmas customs here. Many Poles wait until the first star appears in the sky before sitting down to eat on the 24th of December and we met with many more interesting traditions. Considering that it was a Christmas meeting we shared Opłatek. It is an unleavened wafer made of flour and water embossed with a religious image. Everyone in the meeting got one and shared it with those present. This is accompanied by exchanges of good wishes and occurs before sitting down to eat.