November 1 is a special day in Poland. It is a day to remember those who have departed. There is something beautiful and magical in the atmosphere of the day, which many people spend on cemetaries, attending the graves of their relatives and friends.
This is the time to remember the people we have never met, but who have died for their country and their freedom:
[ October 31, 2005, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: Kama ]
Posted by Leto II (Member # 2659) on :
Thanks for sharing that with us, Kama. It's both sobering and enlightening. In fact, it's given me something new to look into.
danke
Posted by BelladonnaOrchid (Member # 188) on :
Kama-thank you for showing that to us. It's always interesting to see how different cultures respect their dead.
Were those candles in those little glass jars, Kama?
Posted by Starla* (Member # 5835) on :
I posted a longer message for you on GreNME, but I have something to add about the candles.
My grandmother always loved red. When she died, we went to this shrine in Pomona that she would always go to. I lit a red candle for her in front of Blessed Mother, who was her favorite figure in the catholic church.
I have not been to that shrine since she died. I think I will go tonight when I pick my sister up from work.
In case you haven't read GreNME yet, Kama, I want to thank you again. Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Yes, it's candles in the little glass jars
Each grave should have a candle lit on this day, and it is very uplifting to see strangers lit candles on the otherwise forgotten graves. Uplifting, but sad - as I lit a candle on one of the Russian graves, I thought of the young boys burried there, some not even 20 years old, most of them unidentified, who died so far from their homes, and whose relatives never got to know where they ot burried.
But seeing a cementary by night, with all the candles burning, is a sight you never forget I wish I could have stayed longer yesterday, just to take a photo of it.
[ November 02, 2003, 06:55 AM: Message edited by: Kama ]
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Kama, those are beautiful pictures. What a wonderful tradition!! Thanks for lighting that candle. Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
This seems so somber. When I lived in Spain I remember All Saint's Day being a huge party in the streets. People roasting chestnuts, music, dancing. There were a lot of candles though. Maybe I was just too young to understand the deeper meaning to it all?
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Its was also my brother's birthday. We always considered him a Haloween leftover.
Posted by Robespierre (Member # 5779) on :
quote: The graves of Russian soldiers who died in Poland during WW II
Poland has had such a painful 20th century. I would guess that the practice of honoring the Russians must have started during their control of Poland. While the Russians did drive out the Nazi's, they were the single largest foe to Poland's self governance from the time that Poland declared independence from them in 1917 until they did it again in 1989.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
What you don't say.
We also respect the graves of the German soldiers just the same.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
it has nothing to do with "honoring the Russians". It has everything to do with thinking of young boys who had a life ahead of them, and who died needlessly in a needless war.
Posted by Robespierre (Member # 5779) on :
quote: It has everything to do with thinking of young boys who had a life ahead of them, and who died needlessly in a needless war.
I understand. Its just that many places with similar histories would not be so understanding and forgiving. I think its great.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :
A story I once read said simply that the Poles are the world's sweetest and most caring people. I've come to agree with that whole-heartedly.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Except for that Kama...she's a vixen, plain and simple...
Kwea
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
Seeing Leto II's post up at the top surprised the living firmament out of me until I checked the date.
Hobbes
[ October 07, 2004, 05:24 PM: Message edited by: Hobbes ]
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
November 1st is also my brothers birthday.
Not that it is important to anyone here.
Um.
Back to the cemetery pictures.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
November 1 is also my brother's birthday.
And ElJay's brother's birthday.
*looks suspiciously at Dan*
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
Damn. I thought this was a thread about the Boondock Saints sequel...
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
*bump* for tomorrow Posted by Ser Bronn Stone (Member # 8759) on :
This is a wonderful story.
I wish that my nation remembered the fallen among their enemies with the same reverence. The average foot soldier is not responsible for the crimes of their leaders.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
All Saints' Day isn't just a Polish thing... it's a Roman Catholic thing. It's here in the USA too. I was raised Catholic and we'd always have some special Mass on that day.
Halloween means All Hallows Eve... considering the ancient custom that sundown is actually the beginning of the new day is part of the reason why Halloween is special (that and it's the ancient pagan holy day of Samhain). And it's also why it's ok to have Mass on Saturday night.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I remember All Saints' Day in Brazil. It sounds a lot like Kama describes it in Poland.
(BTW Kama, my brother is soooooo excited to get to your lovely country. (He leaves Utah Nov. 28th.) The Polish language is kicking his white American hiney, but he's really excited. )
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I used to work at a Catholic school, and they still have a special Mass that day. It's quite a juxtaposition-- they have a big Halloween festival with costumes and candy and games, and then the next day are all solemn. Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
it's a difficult language, Narnia. I hope he likes the food, though Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
quote:Seeing Leto II's post up at the top surprised the living firmament out of me until I checked the date.
Hobbes
I found this post very amusing.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
you know what's sad, Dana? Next year, someone might quote your post and say the same thing. Posted by pepinaso (Member # 8639) on :
In Mexico they call it "The Day of the Dead" and it is thier day to remember their lost relatives. They do this by putting out offerings on a big table about a week before. These offering mostley include the favorite food or objects of the departed. It is said that on this night the spirits of the the departed to eat and remember the things that they had left behind
steve
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Phooey, I thought this was a Boondock Saints II thread. Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
1) Nov 1st is also my brother's birthday. He is far from an All Saint though--more like a halloween candy leftover, and not a good one, but a half-there candy corn that has no white and too much orange.
2) James Michner's "Poland" is a great read. I suggest it for any American who would be interested in the wild history of that great country.
(My grandparents came from a part of the world that is either Polish, Russian, or I believe Ukranian--depending on who was being victorious that year)
Posted by Ser Bronn Stone (Member # 8759) on :
It is half an hour past midnight in California, but the morning of All Saints Day in Poland.
I am ready to go to sleep, but these are my last thoughts.
I think of the Soviets (Russian and otherwise) who gave their lives in the fight against National Socialism.
I think of the misguided soldiers of the Wehrmacht, deceived and compelled by their leaders to fight for an unjust cause, who fell thinking they were protecting their nation.
I think of the brave Poles who met German tanks with cavalry that their nation not submit without at least having resisted, and admire their courage and their choice.
I think of the brave Polish aviators who evacuated the Polish Air Force to Britain, and later proved invaluable in supplementing the RAF in their resistance to the Luftwaffe.
I think of the sadness of war and the frustration I feel when the leaders of my nation seek it while other options remain.
And I think of the boys and girls I saw yesterday during the day, dressed as rabbits and angels and cartoon characters, and hope beyond hope that not a single one of them ever fires upon or is fired upon by an enemy.
And I think on that note I should sleep.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
My brother opposes the holiday. He says the dead should be remembered all the time, not just one day in the year. He's in his "Sturm und Drang" period and likes to rebel. But I hope one day he will realise the beauty of the day.
Bronn, a lot of people in my area were forced to fight in the Wehrmacht. While any war is tragic, the thought that maybe you were fighting your neighbour who was forced to be on the opposite side is extremely sad.
(Steve, you should post more. And send kat the pics.)
Posted by pepinaso (Member # 8639) on :
Kama I more observe than anything, and yes I did send the pics to Kat but she just has not had the time to post them yet. So you can not say that it is my fault
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