Each year, more Poles join the celebrations, using the occasion to enjoy Irish culture and traditions.
While parades are a hallmark of St. Patrick’s Day in many countries, Poland’s celebrations focus on a mix of music, dance, and, of course, Irish beverages.
Cities such as Warsaw, Kraków and Wrocław host a variety of events marking the holiday.
Many pubs, particularly those specializing in beer, organize themed parties featuring Irish folk music, traditional dance and Irish cuisine.
Green beer, though not a part of authentic Irish culture, has become a popular feature in Polish pubs during the celebrations.
Some Polish cities have even started organizing street parades where participants dress in green and march to celebrate Irish heritage.
Irish culture has also established a strong presence in Poland through Irish dance schools, which regularly perform on St. Patrick’s Day.
These schools, along with Irish folk music festivals, help promote Irish traditions and attract growing audiences each year.
Social gatherings and themed dinners featuring Irish cuisine, such as Irish stew, soda bread and roasted meats, further immerse participants in the holiday’s cultural aspects.
Green has become an unmistakable symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, representing Ireland, which is often called the Emerald Isle.
This symbolism is reflected in international celebrations, where famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building are illuminated in green.
In Chicago, a long-standing tradition sees the city’s river dyed green, using environmentally-friendly coloring.
In Poland, although St. Patrick’s Day is not a public holiday, more people engage in the festivities by wearing green.
Shops in major cities now offer a wide range of green accessories, making it easy for anyone to participate.
The holiday’s origins date back to the 17th century when it was established to commemorate the death of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
Over time, it transformed from a solemn religious observance into a lively festival known for music, dance and widespread revelry.
One of the most famous legends associated with Saint Patrick is that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland, a story that is often interpreted as a metaphor for his efforts to spread Christianity.
The historical Patrick was born in Roman Britain, likely in the late 4th century, into a Christian family. At around the age of 16, he was captured by Irish raiders and taken across the sea, where he was sold into servitude.
He spent six years in captivity, working as a shepherd, enduring harsh conditions, isolation, and hunger. His account of this period is one of the only existing personal narratives from a former slave in this era.
During his time in slavery, Patrick turned to prayer, eventually experiencing what he described as divine visions guiding him to escape. He fled, made his way back home, and later became a missionary.
Despite his traumatic past, he chose to return to Ireland, this time as a Christian evangelist, aiming to convert the Irish people.
The United States has played a major role in popularizing the holiday, with some of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades taking place in New York, Boston and Chicago—cities with large Irish immigrant communities.
The tradition of wearing green stems from Irish folklore, which claims that those who do not wear the color on St. Patrick’s Day risk being pinched— though the practice appears to have originated in the United States.
Food is also a key part of the celebrations, with traditional Irish dishes such as corned beef and cabbage being particularly popular in America, while in Ireland, classics like Irish stew and soda bread are commonly enjoyed.
Although St. Patrick’s Day is often associated with drinking, its roots lie in religious observance and community gatherings.
However, statistics show that alcohol consumption spikes on this day worldwide.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP, wp.pl