Symbols, colours, and traditions of spring in Poland
On March 25th, 2025, in the Employees’ Club of the Silesian University of Technology, a unique integration meeting for foreign students, doctoral students and university employees took place. The event, organized by Welcome Point, was an excellent opportunity to learn about Polish traditions related to the arrival of spring.
During the lecture conducted by the Foreign Languages Centre of the Silesian University of Technology, the participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the symbols of spring in Poland. The importance of nature awakening to life and folk customs associated with saying goodbye to winter and welcoming warmer days was discussed. There was also creative fun, which turned out to be one of the most exciting points of the program.
The main attraction of the event was the joint creation of Marzanna – a straw puppet symbolizing winter. The participants were engaged in preparing their Marzannas, decorating them with colour. After the completion of the creative works, the culmination of the event came – the ritual farewell of winter. In the spirit of the Marzanna tradition, they were set on fire and then symbolically drowned, which was to ward off the cold and evoke spring.
For many participants it was the first contact with this old Polish tradition, which aroused great interest and enthusiasm. The meeting became not only an opportunity for integration, but also for a better understanding of Polish culture and its folk customs. Foreigners willingly shared their impressions, emphasizing that the event was both educational and full of fun. The meeting ended with joint conversations and celebrating the arrival of spring in a joyful atmosphere.
