Parthemores in Poland

As previously mentioned, November 11^th is a multi-purpose holiday in Poznań.  The whole country celebrates Independence Day, but St. Martin’s Day is celebrated only in Poznań.

This is a good time to explain the tradition of imięniny, or name-days.  Almost everyone in Poland has a very traditional name, and it is often the name of a saint.  If you have a “weird” name, like both of us do, people can instantly tell that you are not Polish.  There are also no “unique spellings” allowed, either.  As a result, we know several people that all share the same first name; I think we’re up to 4 friends named Łukasz.

So, people usually get gifts on their name-day, instead of on their birthday.  This is especially handy when you don’t want to be reminded of how old you are.  However, my University students claimed that birthday celebrations have been gaining in popularity.

Where am I going with this?  Since it is St. Martin’s Day, there is a huge parade and party to celebrate the name-day of one of the major streets in the city.  Sorry, Daisy, but there will be fireworks. 

But the best part of St. Martin’s Day is the delicious pastries that are made only in Poznań: rogale świętomarcińskie.  They are croissants filled with white poppyseed filling and covered in icing and peanuts.  Since I can’t ever seem to take my own picture before devouring these, I stole this from the Poznań tourism board website. 

Poznaniaks are very proud of these, and everyone who discovers you aren’t from Poznań will invariably ask if you’ve tried one.  And if you think this was just a stunt thought up by the local bakeries and tourism board, you’re wrong!  This tradition started in the 1890s as a fundraiser for the poor.  The rogal even has a protected geographical status from the EU, just like champagne or cognac. 

Unfortunately, these are only sold around St. Martin’s Day by “certified” bakers.  It’s probably a good thing they aren’t always available…because I would probably weigh 400 pounds by now.