Flowers in Poland - for Weddings and the First Communion (I) - Polish Culture

As I already mentioned in several previous articles how important are flowers especially for dating , weddings and the all Saints Day. Flowers are very popular and used for many occasions in Poland. It is impolite to be invited to somebody's house and do not bring a bouquet of flowers, especially in summer when flowers are really cheap.

Flowers are usually bought in uneven numbers. Typical bouquets do not have more than 3-5 flowers, sometimes just one - but they are just wonderfully decorated with eucalyptus, evergreen or another kind of decorative "grass".


Numerous greenhouses were built, especially new big cities. Flowers are grown there for the whole year to meet demands of Poles. Flower industry was one of the first that was almost completely privatized during communistic times. Maybe this is why one could always buy flowers but not necessarily other food products. Read more about food problems during comunism.


Wedding bouquet from Polish flower store U Bozeny		Flowers' prices depends on the season. They are cheaper from the end of May until the middle of November with the peak of the flower season in the summer and until the middle of autumn. For the rest of the year flowers are expensive - but still, in big demand.
Flowers are very important during weddings. If you are invited for a Polish wedding - flowers are necessity. The most popular flowers for wedding bouquet for a young bride are white and red roses (just like Polish national colors) and kalia lily (white), sometimes white and red tulips. See the photograph on the left and look at the selection of wedding bouquets.

Poles are mainly Catholics as you know probably from our article about John Paul II, Polish pope.

This is my photograph - in a communion dress with lilies		 First communion is a big celebration in the life of usually 8 years old children. Small girls wear white dresses - long or short depending on the region of Poland. They also carry white lilies as a symbol of their innocence (boys carry candles). Girls have garlands (crowns) from white flowers on their heads (see the photo on side). Although Poles love natural flowers, natural flowers are rarely used for this occasion- since communion is celebrated for weeks after it really happens. I had garland from alive Lily of the Valley (latin: Convallaria majalis, Polish: konwalia) but it faded after one day (not shown on this picture). Lily of the Valley is a typical May flower connected to May Days all around the world (especially in France) and the May is a first communion month in Poland.

Read about Flowers for All Saints Day, Funerals and other occasions. Read also about Polish National Flowers - Red Poppies from Monte Cassino

written by Jagoda Urban-Klaehn, November 24, 2003 (article #142)

I recommend


Simon and Schuster's Guide to Garden Flowers by Guido Moggi, Stanley Schuler (Photographer), Luciano Giugnolini



SIMON & SCHUSTER'S GUIDE TO PLANTS AND FLOWERS
by Frances Perry (Editor)


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