11/11

11/11 Polish Independence Day

On November the 11th Poles celebrate Independence Day. In the past the Polish Kingdom was one of the largest country in Europe. In 1795 Poland disappeared from the map of Europe for 123 years. Three powerful neighbours divided Poland into three parts. There was no Polish school and Polish pupils could not speak Polish. However, Poles never forgot about their country. They organised uprising but they lost each time. The end of the World War I was the best opportunity for regaining independence. The Commandant Josef Pilsudski symbolises the fight for independence. On November 11, 1918 the Polish Republic was declared.
Since then Poles who live in Poland and all over the world celebrate Polish Independence Day. President, Sejm and Senat speakers, members of the government and others state officials attend a gala change of guards at Warsaw’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. People watch a military parade with participants wearing military uniforms from years 1918-1945. Independence Day Celebrations take place throughout the country. Each school organises a special assembly. Students sing patriotic songs and recite poems.

The First Loaf of Bread

Dozynki
This school year we have a new English book. In October we learnt about celebrations and festivals all over the world. We read about the Quebec Winter Carnival, festivals in Thailand, China and the USA.

I would like to tell you about Dozynki harvest festival. It is a Polish festival which takes place all over Poland in September. Before the festival women bake the first loaf of bread and weave a wreath from mixture of wheat, rye, and wild flowers.
On that day Polish families in villages get together to celebrate the end of the harvest season. People wear traditional costumes and during the procession they take bread and wreaths into the church to be blessed. They believe that bread symbolises farmers’ hard work. Then the host of harvest festival gets the bread and shares it among people. Later in the afternoon people dance and sing. Everyone has a great time. The Poles are proud of this festival.
Ola and Sandra

Kalmar FF

A historical moment! For the first time ever our football team

Kalmar FF won the Swedish league! Tomorrow we are going to celebrate them the main square in Kalmar!

http://www2.barometern.se/flash/kff/

Outdoor stage

Baltazar visits Josephin

Flags

Barcelona

Today we are having a fantastic English lesson. We are reading letters from our new friends who live in Barcelona, Spain. We are doing projects and sending them to Barcelona.