Polish St. Andrew’s Day in Kettering

By Agnieszka Kuchnia-Wolosiewicz (Cultural Correspondent)

Pictures  by Tomasz Woźniak

To get married to someone – this can be one of the most popular dreams of many men and
women. It means the possibility of spending the rest of your life with the person you love the most is something that motivates many people.

In Poland, there is one day during the year when all your prayers for marriage will be answered. This day is November 30, when Saint Andrew’s Day (Andrzejki in Polish) is celebrated by some countries around the world, even Scotland, but in Poland this day has a somewhat different meaning. It is believed that on this day Saint Andrew can help young unmarried women find their future husbands. But in recent years, this tradition is not exclusive to women, young men have also started asking Saint Andrew for help, but originally the day to find love for men is Saint Katrin’s Day (Katarzynki ) on 25th November.

It all started a few centuries ago, when the Poles sought to predict their future with the help of Saint Andrew. It was believed that in those days the spirits of their ancestors were more accessible. Nowadays is different. Poles meet to discover the future, not only the love. Some parties and artistic event are organized to make it more interesting and fun. That’s how it was in Kettering 276th and 27th November.

On the first day there was a dance party during which the money were collected for the
OPOKA – organization for Polish women and their families and promoting free from
violence and abuse. On this occasion, Beata Kubiak presented her ‘dance to freedom’.
On the second day,Andrzejkowe Czarowanie took place – the evening full of poetic songs,poems and magic.
On stage performed: Remi Juśkiewicz /musician, composer, singer/, Kasia Krawiecka /poet and writer/, Agnieszka Kuchnia-Wołosiewicz /poet and writer/, Alina Marczak /spiritual advisor/ and Anna Patera /tarocist/. In addition, the own poetry was read by the guests present at the event: Dorota Górczyńska-Bacik and Wiesław Fałkowski The artists thank Andzelika Kostryca (“The Gospoda restaurant’ and Milena Zeppz-Suwary (social activist living in Corby).