The lifespan of this guide sees Poland hit National Holiday Season, and aside from Easter visitors should take note of two more dates for the diary. First up is May 1, otherwise known as Labour Day, and a direct leftover from times communist.
In the bad old days it was a day dominated by parades, concerts and coordinated gatherings to celebrate the glories of socialism, and while Poland’s edged further from Moscow than ever before, the people were damned if they were losing a day off work. Despite the political and social changes Poland has experienced, the post-communist government opted to maintain this day as a public holiday – only without any red flag and party badge nonsense.
Even better, Poles find themselves getting another day off before Labour Day has barely finished. May 3 is yet another national holiday, and this one has far more historical importance. It was on this day that the Polish Sejm (parliament) signed what was to become Europe’s first national constitution (and the second in the world) in Warsaw’s Royal Castle back in 1791. Introducing political equality between the bourgeoisie and the nobility, the constitution also placed the peasant class under the protection of the government, thereby guaranteeing them safety from any nasty aristocratic masters.
It was under the rule of Poland’s last king, Stanisław August Poniatowski, that this happened, with him later quoted as describing the act as "Founded principally on those of England and the United States, but avoiding the faults and errors of both." These sweeping social reforms were welcomed by most Poles, and it was such a landmark event it was declared a national holiday. Not everyone was happy however, namely Poland’s bullying neighbours. Fearing an economic, military and patriotic resurgence of a country that typically kowtowed to them, Russia's troops invaded Polish soil on May 18, 1792. By 1795 Poland was once more ruled by foreign flags, and the May 3 national holiday was outlawed. When Poland regained independence in 1918 it was once more announced as a day of national celebration, though it was subsequently banned yet again - - first by the Nazis, and then by the communists who followed. The holiday was restored to its current mantle in 1990, and today is very much seen as triumph of common good over repression.
Like Easter before it, those visiting the country on either May 1 or May 3 may find efforts to enjoy themselves consistently thwarted; a large number of restaurants and bars choose to close during this period, and while the situation has largely improved don’t be surprised to find your pub of choice shuttered for the day.
In the bad old days it was a day dominated by parades, concerts and coordinated gatherings to celebrate the glories of socialism, and while Poland’s edged further from Moscow than ever before, the people were damned if they were losing a day off work. Despite the political and social changes Poland has experienced, the post-communist government opted to maintain this day as a public holiday – only without any red flag and party badge nonsense.
Even better, Poles find themselves getting another day off before Labour Day has barely finished. May 3 is yet another national holiday, and this one has far more historical importance. It was on this day that the Polish Sejm (parliament) signed what was to become Europe’s first national constitution (and the second in the world) in Warsaw’s Royal Castle back in 1791. Introducing political equality between the bourgeoisie and the nobility, the constitution also placed the peasant class under the protection of the government, thereby guaranteeing them safety from any nasty aristocratic masters.
It was under the rule of Poland’s last king, Stanisław August Poniatowski, that this happened, with him later quoted as describing the act as "Founded principally on those of England and the United States, but avoiding the faults and errors of both." These sweeping social reforms were welcomed by most Poles, and it was such a landmark event it was declared a national holiday. Not everyone was happy however, namely Poland’s bullying neighbours. Fearing an economic, military and patriotic resurgence of a country that typically kowtowed to them, Russia's troops invaded Polish soil on May 18, 1792. By 1795 Poland was once more ruled by foreign flags, and the May 3 national holiday was outlawed. When Poland regained independence in 1918 it was once more announced as a day of national celebration, though it was subsequently banned yet again - - first by the Nazis, and then by the communists who followed. The holiday was restored to its current mantle in 1990, and today is very much seen as triumph of common good over repression.
Like Easter before it, those visiting the country on either May 1 or May 3 may find efforts to enjoy themselves consistently thwarted; a large number of restaurants and bars choose to close during this period, and while the situation has largely improved don’t be surprised to find your pub of choice shuttered for the day.
