As the candles flickered in the dimly lit room, the melodic sound of “Silent Night” was heard.  A Polish Christmas Eve had begun.

On Saturday 14^th December 2019, in the Jubilee Hall in Braintree, people gathered together, for a SOLD OUT ticket only event, to experience something special, a typical “Polish Christmas Eve” (Wigilia).  It was a night full of symbolism, Polish culture and traditions and one that will most certainly be remembered by all!

Before the table was set, straw or hay was placed under a white tablecloth.  An extra place was set for any unexpected visitor as a reminder that the Holy Family was turned away from inns in Bethlehem and that those seeking shelter are always welcome on this special night.

The typical Polish Christmas Eve dinner consists of 12 dishes, one for each of the 12 apostles.  These dishes are usually meat free, with carp being traditionally served.  Wigilia starts with the appearance of the first star.  As Christmas Eve is a day of fasting, once the first star appears, it signifies that the day has ended and families can break fast and sit down to eat.  The breaking of the symbolic wafer precedes the meal when everyone shares the wafer with each other, extending good wishes for the coming year.

It is also on this day that the Christmas tree is decorated with shapes cut from gingerbread, fruit, candy, straw ornaments are hung, with decorations from eggshells or commercially produced ornaments added as well.

Wigilia normally ends with Midnight Mass and the singing of Christmas carols, which is another big part of Poland’s Christmas traditions.

All those people who attended, had an opportunity to sample some of the wonderful dishes, i.e. barszcz (beetroot soup) with dumplings, pierogi (dumplings filled with a variety of savoury and sweet fillings), śledzie (pickled herrings), kompot (a fruit compote), piernik (gingerbread cake) and makowiec (poppy seed cake).

Everyone left exchanging good wishes with each other and commenting on how wonderful the evening had been!