In Krakow starts the Christmas Fair

The first days of December will bring in Europe holiday rush, many-colored lights and revelry of the traditional Christmas fairs. One of the most charming and colorful of them will start on the first of December in Krakow. Poland is a very traditional catholic country and therefore the Christmas Fair is one of the most attractive events in Krakow before the Christmas. Traditional Krakow Christmas handmade decorations, joyful bustle of the upcoming celebrations and Christmas hymns fill the Market Square in Krakow to give citizens and guests of the Polish cultural capital the sense of celebration.

The sooner the holiday come the more Market Square is filled with lots of stalls and kiosks where you can find examples of traditional local crafts and a variety of Polish specialties, such as traditional bigos or black pudding (kaszanka), different variations of meat or sweet potato. And, of course, it is not the Christmas without the traditional mulled wine - grzaniec, which warms in frost and brings joy to the holiday.

In addition to the traditional European Christmas entertainments in Krakow there is a special tradition of the creation of miniature historic buildings of Krakow, the scenes from the history and legends of the city and, of course, the scenes of the Nativity - Szopki Krakowskie. Unique colorful szopki-figures become the stars of the fairs and are demonstrated in the Market Area on the first Thursday of December (in 2009 - 3 December). Later the figures will be displayed in the Krzysztofory Palace until February.

The most important day of Christmas holidays in Poland is Vigilia – the traditional Catholic Christmas Eve, when the whole family is gathered at the festive table, lit candles, sang hymns and unfolds the gifts. Therefore, if you happen to visit Poland during the Christmas Fair, try to eat one of the 12 traditional Polish Vigilia dishes. Among the most authentic there are such traditional dishes as fried carp with the seductive crisp, luxurious jellied carp, borsch with ears (Barszcz z uszkami) - Beet soup (borscht) with delicious dumplings filled with mushrooms; Perogi with cabbage and mushrooms (Pierogi z kapusta i grzybami) - dumplings with cabbage and mushrooms, and, naturally, the compote of dried fruits. Also, you should definitely try Kutia - an original and very traditional Polish dish made from a mixture of wheat, honey, poppy seed, raisins, and a variety of nuts.

Enjoy the Christmas holidays!