The mine of varieties: Magic of the 21st March. :)

In previous entry I’ve written something about astronomic spring. Now I am going to explain it. As you know Poland is located in the northern hemisphere, which means, that December, January, February and March are winter months. Winter is known in Poland as a cold and dark season, because e.g. in December the Sun comes down usually at 4 p.m. Days become shorter and shorter since 23rd September (it is September equinox) till 22nd December which is usually the shortest day in a year. Since 22nd December (winter solistce)days fortunately become longer.:) And in 21st March is "March Equinox" and days still are prolonging. :) This is why this day Is called in Poland “a first day of spring”. People are waiting for it, especially students at schools, because it is also a “truant’s day” – a lot of students illegally look for spring’s signs away from schools.:)

There are some customs connected with first day of spring. Firstly, the most popular in the whole Poland is the one in which you have to burn or drown a hand-made doll (usually made of straw). This doll’s name is “Marzanna” and it is a symbol of winter.

Those people took care of their Marzannas and weared them green t-shirts. :)

Secondly, Gdynia’s local custom is to watch the sunrise from the top of Orlowo’s cliff. Watchers gather there at about 5 a.m. and after the sunrise they burn Marzanna at the beach or they drown it in the sea.
In my school annual tip to Orlowo is organized in order to take part in welcoming spring. I took part in this event twice, but this year I had some problems with getting up so early, thus my friend Wanda went without me. And this is why the all photos from this event are taken by her.:)

Views from the top of the cliff. :)Lights in the distance are from Gdansk.

The pier in Orlowo.

The sunrise we waiting for. :)

Cliffs and Gdynia in the background.

The man who was fishing at 7a.m. Maybe he was looking for a gold fish?:)

But at the evening we took part together in burning Marzanna at the beach. The celebration was organized by a group of young people from Gdynia – they made a big Marzanna and firstly transported it on limousine’s roof, than they got the doll off roof and carried it over their heads, so we followed them.