DULCE DUQUE Mrs.
Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
POLAND’S
CULTURE
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
Poland is a large nation in central Europe. It borders the Baltic sea. Warsaw is the
capital and largest city.
Poland is named for the polanie , a Slavic tribe that lived in that area more than a
thousand of years ago.
The name polanie comes from a Slavic word that means plain or field. Flat plains
and gently roving hills
Cover most of the country. At one time the people ruled an empire that stretched
across most of the
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
central Europe. But foreign powers conquered and divided Poland and brought an
end to its existence as
a separate nation. 1918, however, after more than hundred years of foreign rule,
Poland became are
independent republic. Poland experience great economic, political, and social
changes during 1900’s.
Before world war ll, Poland was the largely agricultural, and most of the people were
farmers living in
poverty. After the war Poland began to develop in to an industrial nation. Many
people moved the cities
to take jobs in factories. But at the same time, Poland became a communist
country. The communist
party controlled the polish government and placed many restrictions on the
freedom of the people.
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
Poland’s national flag, flown by the people, left has red and white stripes. The state
flag, used by the
government includes the coat of arms, right. An eagle has been used on the polish
coat of arms since the 1200’s.
POLAND’S FLAG
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
POLAND’S GOVERNMENT: Poland is a republic. It current constitution went in to
effect in 1997. The national assembly is Poland’s parliament. It has two houses. The
lower house, called the Sejm, has 460members.
The lower house called Sejm.
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
460 members in sejm.
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
Poland’s facts in brief
Capital: Warsaw
Language: Polish
Official name: Republic of Poland
Population: estimated 2008 population
Money : one hundred groszy equal one zloty.
Warsaw the capital of Poland
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
Poland’
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
People: almost all of the people are poles. They are descend from Slavic tribes that
settled on the Vistula and Warta rivers several thousand years ago. Polish, the
official language is related to Slovak and other Slavic languages.
Polish people.
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
Polish traditional food: a cuisine that was suppressed during Communist times, is now making a
comeback. Polish traditional foods consists of traditional Slavic fare, but also has influences
from Italy and France that date back to the medieval Polish court. The Polish traditional foods
you will encounter today are flavorful, hearty, and complex, but they have a lighter side, too.
Polish traditional food features many soups, made with mushrooms, broth, and beets. But
imagine, if you will, a hearty hunter’s stew that is a meal in itself. This stew, called bigos is a
combination of cabbage, mushrooms, and various meats—traditionally pork, bacon, and
delicious Polish sausage, but today bigos may also contain venison or duck.
Pierogi have long been a traditional Polish food staple. They may have come from Russia in the
Middle Ages, but they are as Polish as Polish food gets. Dough filled with cheese, potatoes,
onions, cabbage, mushrooms, meat (or almost any other ingredient, savory or sweet, that you can
think of), pierogi are served steaming hot boiled or fried and are accompanied by sour cream.
Homemade pierogi are a special treat that even the pickiest eater will beg for more. A great place
to get pierogi in Krakow is U Vincenta Pierogi Restaurant.
Zrazy is Polish traditional food that will stick to your ribs. A filling of bacon, breadcrumbs,
mushrooms, and cucumber is rolled inside a seasoned slice of sirloin beef then fried or grilled to
allow the flavors to mingle. With a side of mizeria, or cucumber salad, you’ll have a meal
bursting with all the flavors of the best Polish traditional food. This chilled salad is composed of
thinly-sliced cucumbers, sprigs of dill, and chopped onion in a sour cream and lemon juice
dressing.
Fish dishes are also popular, especially in regional Polish traditional food. Carp, pike, perch, eel,
and sturgeon are all popular and served in various ways. Pork is the most common meat in
traditional Polish cuisine, but chicken, beef, venison, duck, and other meats are seen on
restaurant menus today.
For desert, Polish meals will include Polish cheesecake, or sernik, apple tarts (szarlotka),
makowiec (a sponge cake with a poppyseed filling), or eklerka (éclairs). Bakeries in Poland
(those in Gdansk come to mind) will have many of these sweet pastries and deserts to choose
from, so be sure to try them all!
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
Nuts and Bolts
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
Traditional dinner
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
Religion: The Pole adopted Christianity. They remained loyal to the Roman Catholic
Church.
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
Roman Catholic Church.
Wedding and other family gatherings play an important role in social life of poles,
specially those who lives in rural areas. At the community wedding shown here, the
bride’s attendants are dressed in traditional polish folk costumes.
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
Visiting:
CZESTOCHOWA
The medium size city of Czestochowa lies in the heart of Krakowsko-Czestochowska Upland,
the region characterised by picturesque Jurassic rocks. Czestochowa is usually associated with
Jasna Gora Monastery which is the biggest Marian sanctuary in the country. For the majority of
Poles it is an important pilgrimage destination and a main cult place of the Virgin Mary. The
icon known as Black Madonna of Czestochowa crowned in 1656 as the Queen and Protector of
Poland is credited with many miracles.
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
GDANSK (DANZIG)
The cheerful maritime city is popular with both tourist and holiday destination. Situated by the
sea, it has a gentle climate and beautiful beaches. A famous seaside resort Sopot is nearby. The
exclusive architecture of the Old Town, including the largest brick Gothic church in the world is
undoubtedly worth exploring. The present image of the city was created by its complex history.
Gdansk used to often change hands and in 1980 it witnessed the birth of the Solidarity
movement, which brought the end of Communism.
MASURIAN LAKES
Picturesque land of reputedly 3,000 lakes. For sailing fans, fishermen, hikers, cyclists and those
who seek tranquillity, the Masuria is the number one holiday destination. Apart from the water
sports and wandering around, you may explore a multitude of historical places. There are castles
in Reszel, Nidzica and Gizycko, the amazing Baroque church in Swieta Lipka and the Hitler's
wartime headquarters in the forests near Ketrzy
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
WARSAW
The capital of Poland. Rebuilt after World War II practically from scratch. Warsaw's vibrant
business downtown takes pride in many skyscrapers and ambitious plans to build more. The
catchy skyline is still dominated by the enormous Palace of Culture and Science – a Stalin's
donation. Warsaw is a big world with an east European flavour. Do not miss the beautiful Old
Town, the Royal Route, the Chopin museum, several magnificent palaces and the former Jewish
ghetto
.
DULCE DUQUE Mrs. Olson - ESOL 2/17/10
