Today is probably one of the most important days of the year for most Poles. All Saints’ Day – the day when you remember those who’ve already gone. All over the country people will be going to cemeteries, lighting candles, meeting families and reflecting on life (well, not collectively – for many today is a chore, for many others it’s a chance to show off their best outfits).
I really like the day, but the best part of it is the evening. When the weather is fine, some people will – rather unusually – go for a walk around their local cemetery in the evening. The light of hundreds of thousands of candles makes the sky red, thousands of flowers make the grey autumnal evening more colourful, the smell of leaves mixed with the smell of burning wax is overwhelming and – if you’re lucky to visit a really old cemetery, the sculptures and gravestones will look simply beautiful.
Next time you’re in Poland in early November – try it. It’s a different world.
Image © kingary used under CC licence
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