The teacher of Polish language from Warsaw Magdalena Fido and students of the Faculty of Philology of PetrSU prepare for Polish Christmas

Could the students of the Faculty of Philology of PetrSU imagine they would be participants of folk Polish Christmas holidays this year? They have never even though of it! But it happened that under the invitation of the Polish Culture Society Jadviga and at the support of the Head of Directorate for international cooperation L.Kulikovskaya teacher of Polish language pani Magdalena Fido came to Petrozavodsk from Warsaw.

In coordination with the management of the Faculty of Philology Pani Magdalenav was given an opportunity of teaching Polish as a Slavic language in two groups of the third-year students.

The Polish teacher enjoyed very much grown both our students, and our university.

However, most of all she was surprised with punctuality and compulsion of students. The third-year students were interested to attend classes, enjoyed studying Polish language, and were never late!

Besides language studies, pani Magdalena told about Poland, history and culture of this country.

As Christmas was coming close there appeared an idea to celebrate Polish Christmas holidays Andrzeiki and Mikolaiki.

In the bus which has taken the allcomers to the Manor Ethnic Cultural Center in Shuya settlement, there was no empty seat, and students sat down by three together on places for two. The house in the Manor Center surprised with its antiquity, there were candles burned, in a corner there was a decorated Christmas tree, and fire wood decrepitated in the fireplace - as in a fairy tale! It was just right time to tell fortunes and learn about the future!

Pani Magdalena surrounded by her assistants - charming girls in festive Christmas attires - welcomed her guests as a mistress of the holiday. Polish music, songs usually sung in Vigilia (the Eve) were played there. Those who wished to try fortunetelling on Andrzeiki were so many that they had to stand in line. It was lots of fun and noise there, jokes and laughter filled the house! First, they poured wax into water through the ring of a huge barn key, then pricked needle in a paper heart on which names were written on the underside - the name you hit is the name of your beloved. But the most ridiculous was fortunetelling with boots: every girl has taken off her booty and began to put them by turns in line aside the threshold. The girl whose booty was the last to come to the door, should marry in the approaching year! Then they sang songs, drank tea with kalitki and sweets. Students met with young people from the Polish Culture Society Jadviga, played Thread the Needle, walked on the bank of Shuya river. Everything has turned out to be great, the only pity was pani Magdalena Fidi was going back home to celebrate Christmas in Poland. We look forward to her returning next year. In fact, students started to study Polish language with greater interest, and we hope this interest will not fade away.

Do vidzenia, pani Magda!

Ad notam:
Andrzeiki remind yule-tide fortunetelling in Russia. This holiday has roots stretching back into 16 century. Since then young guys and girls were fortunetelling on love, marriage and marriage before Christmas, addressing to Saint Andrzei and tried different ways to learn about their future. During modern Andrzeiki young men in cities and villages of Poland try fortunetelling their future life. They pour kindled wax into water and on its contours try to see silhouettes of people they will meet on their life journey, whom they will marry, or the silhouettes reminding various symbols.

Mikolaiki in Poland is celebrated on December 6. This holiday is named after Saint Mikolai. This day it is conventional to give presents both to children, and adults. Usually children find gifts either under the pillow, or in their boots set forth for the night. The games called Mikolaiki are held at schools and kindergartens, and always associated with gifts giving. Often Mikolaiki is also celebrated by young people.