Marzanna's day, first day of spring!

As foreing people we were suprised about the tradition which is connected with the first day of spring that you probably know well. 

On 21st of March all kids from our kindergarten made a colourful parade with balloons and handmade dolls. Alberto with the help of the teacher Marzena made the biggest doll which is traditionnaly called Marzanna. 

Here you can see the cretiaon process: 

Marzanna - she is often described as a demon and is associated with death, winter and nightmares. In Slavic rites the death of Marzanna towards the end of winter is juxtaposed against the birth of Jarilo – a Slavic god representing the coming of spring.

According to the Polish historical writer Jan Dlugosz (1415-1480) the burning of the straw doll was an ancient tradition that linked it to the pagan ceremonies celebrated during the times of Polish King Mieszko I (922 -992).
In modern times the rituals associated with Marzanna have lost their sacred character and are a pastime – an occasion to have fun and celebrate the beginning of spring. The tradition is usually celebrated around the spring equinox (March 21). Usually schoolchildren and young people participate in the celebrations alongside local folklore groups and other residents.
Marzanna is set aflame, sometimes with herbs, and with her burning, springtime is beckoned to come. Then, for the bearers of the effigy to be rid of the death and illness that Marzanna represents, they throw her into a river to “drown” her or there is tradition of burning.

Kids of kindergarten 176 and school went to the fire station to burn our dolls. Every class of kindergarten and school had their own ballons with colours, the idea of Marzena wanted to represent the rainbow to invite spring to this place, say welcome to the warm spring days!




Big Marzanna opened the parade of all the children of kindergarten and school!

 

When we arrived to the fire station, as the tradition says, all the Marzannas were put together and firemen  burned them and as you can see in the photos a lot of children attended to this event.



Finally, all Marzannas were reduced to ashes. What a shame! All of us hope that this tradition will bring the sun from now on, but... we are still waiting!

See you soon with gardering activities!

Clara, Maja, Alberto.