Poles love long weekends, and the next opportunity for a few days off work is this week. On August 15th, Poland celebrates two holidays: Armed Forces Day, which commemorates the victory in the Battle of Warsaw in 1920, and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Feast of Assumption), a significant religious holiday observed by many pilgrims.
This day is marked by military parades, masses, and processions, and in many regions, there is a tradition of blessing herbs and flowers. It is a public holiday, meaning most people have the day off work.
Częstochowa, southern Poland, August 11, 2024. On August 15th Poland celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a significant religious holiday observed by many pilgrims (PAP/Waldemar Deska)
Long weekend in Poland. Why August 15th and 16th might slow down your plans
In 2024, since August 15th falls on a Thursday, many businesses and institutions will also be closed on Friday, August 16th, creating a long weekend. As a result, most business matters in Poland should be handled by Wednesday, as many companies and offices will give employees the day off to enjoy a four-day weekend.
From Thursday to the following Monday, a significant number of Poles won't be working their usual hours, so it's important to consider this if you have any business plans in Poland.
Due to the long weekend, many government offices will be closed on August 15th and 16th, meaning that formalities cannot be handled on these days. This has been decided by authorities in cities like Olsztyn, Piaseczno, and Bielsko-Biała. However, in larger cities like Łódź and Warsaw, offices will remain open as usual.
For some institutions, there is no clear information about their hours, so it's advisable to check in advance to avoid unnecessary trips. If an office is closed on August 16th, employees may be required to make up the time on another day, such as a Saturday.
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Source: IAR
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