Every February, Poland goes nuts for doughnuts
The history of Polish Fat Thursday is fascinating and dates back to ancient times. This holiday, usually observed 52 days before Easter, has its roots in Roman celebrations of the arrival of spring and the end of winter. Back then, fatty foods were consumed, including doughnuts, but in a different form than we know today – they were stuffed with lard, bacon, meat, and often consumed with alcohol.
It is the last Thursday before the beginning of Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday. Fat Thursday marks the end of the carnival and begins the last week of festivities and celebrations before a period of abstinence and preparation for Easter.
The tradition of observing Fat Thursday is associated with the idea of the last day of consuming “fatty” foods before the 40-day period of fasting. On this day, people traditionally eat doughnuts (pączki), angel wings (faworki), and other fatty, sweet pastries. It serves as a kind of symbolic “last feast” before a time of temperance.
In Poland, the custom of eating doughnuts on Fat Thursday was established in the 17th century, mainly in cities and manors, and it was not until the end of the 19th century that the holiday began to be observed in rural areas. Originally, sweet doughnuts made from the 16th century often contained nuts or almonds in the middle, which were supposed to ensure prosperity and success.Over time, Fat Thursday became primarily a day for consuming sweet treats, especially doughnuts and angel wings, also known as chrust or chruściki. According to old beliefs, eating at least one doughnut on this day was supposed to bring happiness and prosperity.
In Lesser Poland (Małopolska), there is also an interesting legend associated with Fat Thursday, known as Combrowy Czwartek. It relates to the Mayor of Krakow, Comber, who was harsh to the women trading in the market and died on Fat Thursday. Since then, women have celebrated the anniversary of his death with loud festivities and dances in the market.
Today, Fat Thursday is primarily an opportunity to celebrate tradition through the consumption of doughnuts and angel wings, which is associated with a sense of joy and community. This holiday remains an important part of Polish culture and tradition, combining historical roots with modern customs.
On Fat Thursday, it’s estimated that each person in Poland consumes an average of two and a half pączki, adding up to a staggering total of 100 million pączki nationwide.
