All Saints` Day - 1 November

[Bonobo]

Tufta, in Polish forums a guy who probably lives in Warsaw posted this:

I strolled around the cemeteries in my area today, and was rather shocked. I was under the impression that today was a day for thoughtful reminiscing of the past; a moment of reflection for those who came before.
Among the flower and candle sellers this time, however, were hot dogs, candy floss, cheap Chinese toys and Haribo zelki. Is this disrespectful, or is it a changing attitude that this is a family event; that tombs and graves don't demand solemn ceremony?
I'm not particularly fond of this holiday anyway, but I'm interested in whether the Polish members here find this sort of commercialism offensive.


My answer was very straighforward but that is the style there ;D ;D ;D ;D:

It is simply impossible. I won`t believe you until I see photos. I visited 4 cemeteries today and saw none of that.
Sorry but I think you are lying.



Can you tell us what is going on in Warsaw on 1 November?

[tufta]

Nov 1, 2010 23:09:44 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

Can you tell us what is going on in Warsaw on 1 November?

The guy said the truth. But please notice he said

"Among the flower and candle sellers this time, however, were hot dogs, candy floss, cheap Chinese toys and Haribo zelki"

Among the sellers, which means outside the cemeteries. Inside the cemeteries all is as it used to be. In the past one could buy just the lanterns and flowers, here are there there was a small stall with pańska skórka and obwarzanki, so this is the change. I even said to my wife ' the All Saints podsiąka with Helloween and Mexico'
Yes here and there on the stall there are small pumpkins!

What has not gone away however is the 'reminiscing of the past'. or so it seems, or maybe I just hope and homo ludens has already totally hijacked Polish culture.

[Bonobo]

Nov 2, 2010 7:58:01 GMT 1 tufta said:

The guy said the truth.

Oops. I will have to apologise.

I even said to my wife ' the All Saints podsiąka with Helloween and Mexico'
Yes here and there on the stall there are small pumpkins!

Times and customs change.

What has not gone away however is the 'reminiscing of the past'. or so it seems, or maybe I just hope and homo ludens has already totally hijacked Polish culture.

I am afraid Pepsi Cola culture is a serious threat. And we have no will to repel it.

[Bonobo]

On 1 November and around, distant family members get together for a while.

[valpomike]

Any time that brings family and friend together is a good one.

Mike

[jeanne]

Nov 11, 2010 16:46:32 GMT 1 valpomike said:

Any time that brings family and friend together is a good one.

Mike

Very eloquently said, Mike...I agree. Even if the occasion is a sad one, say for example a funeral, the being together is a good thing.

[Bonobo]

Foreign influence - I got it from my students.



Tradition holds strong:



















RIDDLE SOLVED

Forlorn graves


but someone still honours the dead













They should remove the rubbish during the day, not wait till midnight.











Fallen Airmen monument.

[Bonobo]

Poles are less dogmatic than I thought. Instead of on 1 November, we went to some graves yesterday. Today my sister visited 3 cemeteries.
I can post pics soon. Or maybe you don`t need to see them?

[uncltim]

I hope you post them.

[jeanne]

Oct 31, 2011 17:03:10 GMT 1 Bonobo said:

Poles are less dogmatic than I thought. Instead of on 1 November, we went to some graves yesterday. Today my sister visited 3 cemeteries.
I can post pics soon. Or maybe you don`t need to see them?

I would say October 30th is close enough to November 1st to still count... The past couple of years when I observed "Polish All Saints' Day" by visiting my father's grave, I had to go on the weekend closest to Nov. 1st because Nov. 1st isn't a holiday here and we have to work that day.

Of course you should post the pictures...unless it will interfere with your recovery...

[Bonobo]

OK, but before I post pics, I will give you one more chance with Riddles.

[uncltim]

Challenge accepted.

[Bonobo]

Nov 1, 2011 17:50:59 GMT 1 uncltim said:

Challenge accepted.

Good luck, then. ;D

polandsite.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=riddles&thread=107&page=17#25370

[Bonobo]

2011








Three light effects for the same grave
1

2



3


Solitary lanterns are the most moving.

[Bonobo]

2015 edition

Autumn










Forgotten grave


23 year old died tragically


13 year old




Stalls with decorations are open till late hours






















Traditional sweets bought on the day. Each packet costs 1$.

[Bonobo]

Preparations










































Communist times flower vases - concrete and decorative gravel











Capitalist vases are made of marble

[Bonobo]