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Published: November 16th 2008
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A Polish Wedding
Once enough vodka had been given, the groom was allowed to enter the bride’s house. Later a tractor was parked on the road preventing the couple from getting to the church, the removal of which was negotiated by more ‘vodka payments’. Been invited to share Quim and Iwona’s wedding in Kielce was such a unique way to experience Polish culture and enjoy copious amounts of vodka.
Similar to other European cultures it is tradition to get married in the hometown of the bride, to have the ceremony in the church and party for days.
Things kicked off on a Friday night in early September, with a Spanish style dinner - Quim is from Spain. Delicious hams, cheeses, breads and wines adorned the table while the chairs were filled with family and friends repeatedly toasting the happy couple.
Saturday was bright and sunny and after a large wedding breakfast, we all piled into a bus and head to Iwona’s family home, getting a good chance to view the Polish countryside and rural architecture. All the houses have flower boxes along their window ledges and balconies that overflow with bright red geraniums. Some have
small vegetable gardens dominated by cabbages, and a few have a milk cow nearby casually chewing grass.
A ribbon is tied across the path into Iwona’s home and a table is set up behind it. A woman wearing a headscarf and a brightly coloured long skirt pushes a pram with a doll inside who jokingly drinks milk from a vodka bottle. The best man makes repeated trips to the boot of the car to bring bottles of blue label Smirnoff to the family. After the best part of a case, the mother accepts the offer, the best man has a shot to seal the deal and the ribbon is cut.
Inside the house sincere and serious words are exchanged between the families expressing their love and hopes for the couple’s future together. Canton, the best man even read a poem that he himself had written.
Iwona had smartly bought her shoes a little too big and to prove his worth Quim then put zloty notes inside until they fitted perfectly.
On the way to the church the bus stopped due to a commotion on the road ahead. A blockade has been set up, stopping the wedding
party from getting to the church. The farmer who has brought his tractor from the fields has also set up a small table and again the best man brings vodka from the car boot to reach an agreement and be allowed to pass. I had to laugh at the poor chicken on the roof of the tractor that was also part of the negotiations. On this occasion however the bride also had a shot to seal the deal.
The church was very ornate and gave the ceremony an air of sophistication. Outside smiles were plastered permanently on faces as photos were taken and gifts were given. It was not long before we were back at the hotel sipping champagne and dancing. Dinner time came along swiftly and we were spoilt with homemade liquors from Iwona’s mum: chocolate and condensed milk that put Bailey’s to shame, and a berry one that made my mouth simply water. Bowls of white broth were followed by large plates of roast pork served with veggies and potatoes. A perfect start given that there are three bottles of vodka along with wine and liquors easily within arms reach.
Love and the celebration of it transcend
language barriers. Everyone, (Polish and Spanish along with the odd kiwi and Maltese) danced and drank together all night long, the cake was cut and a multitude of pictures were taken. The thing that struck me most was the genuine nature of the whole affair, real people sharing real love and feeling real happiness. (I don’t think Anton, Quim's father, stopped smiling for the whole three days!)
Over a divine and monstrous sized bbq on Sunday my feelings were confirmed. As we lapped up the vista overlooking the farmlands below, the spontaneous dancing and jovial conversations clearly illustrated how genuine this celebration was.
I am so grateful to Quim and Iwona for welcoming me to their wedding and for all their kindness and generosity.
The added extra was getting a taste of Polish traditions and experiencing firsthand the countries love of vodka.
Tina McGrath
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