Wianki in Krakow

In Krakow and its vicinity Midsummer Night was celebrated as in other regions of Poland; the custom of bonfire burning was more connected with Pentecost, most probably because church officials wanted to adapt the customs of that magic night to the Christian tradition. After the great fire of Krakow in 1850, when 10% of the city area was damaged (160 houses, 4 churches, 3 monasteries and 2 palaces) it was forbidden to set bonfires within the built-up urban area. Midsummer celebrations were moved to the riverside of the Vistula and were controlled by the police and fire brigade; with time the Midsummer celebrations were conjoined with the tradition of garlands. Nowadays the Midsummer tradition has been revived in new forms: concerts, firework shows and presentations of ancient pagan rituals.


Barbara Błońska (monthly 'Karnet')