posted
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:
posted
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. Posts: 463 | Registered: Oct 2003
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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 ]
Posts: 5700 | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
Kama, those are beautiful pictures. What a wonderful tradition!! Thanks for lighting that candle. Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
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?
Posts: 3243 | Registered: Apr 2002
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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.
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posted
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.
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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.
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posted
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.
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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.
Posts: 38 | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
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.
Posts: 4953 | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
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. )
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posted
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. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
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
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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)
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
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.
Posts: 38 | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
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.)
Posts: 5700 | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
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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