During my time in Poland, I was always back in the States with family for Christmas. One year, I returned in time for a New Year’s Eve in Poland, called Sylwester in honor of Pope Sylvester, who according to legend slew a dragon named Leviathan (circa 320 AD). I’m glad I didn’t miss it. People had been shooting fireworks for the last day, and then, at midnight, it was a frenzy of explosions, and it seemed like they were coming from every building in town rather than a central fireworks show. There was music coming from multiple apartments, and knowing the Polish, it wouldn’t end until 4 AM.
Check out this video snippet of the fireworks outside the apartment. This one takes off horizontally down the street, and you’ll notice the constant booming of fireworks, they’re coming from everywhere. It sounded like a war zone.
Not that watching your neighbors go crazy is the only way to spend New Year’s Eve in Poznan. I had friends who liked to hang out in the old square listening to concerts. Other friends liked to do the fancy bash at the Sheraton, kind of an eat, drink, and dance till dawn extravaganza. Some people just stayed home, taking to their balcony at midnight to beat on pots and pans for noisemakers.
Since this is a food blog, we should touch on food and drink traditions surrounding Sylwester, pickled herring at midnight, maybe a shot of Krupnik? Bigos? What would you add to the list? Eating green foods is supposed to ensure there will be enough money in the coming year. Adding a few of the Christmas carp’s fish scales to your wallet is also supposed to bring good fortune.
However you choose to welcome in the new year, let me wish you and yours every blessing in the coming year.
Pozdrawiam,
Lois
(originally published 2012, updated 2023)
An accountant by trade and a food blogger since 2009, Lois Britton fell in love with Polish cuisine during the years she lived in Poznań, Poland. As the creator of PolishHousewife.com, she loves connecting readers with traditional Polish recipes. Lois has a graduate certificate in Food Writing and Photography from the University of South Florida. She is the author of The Polish Housewife Cookbook, available on Amazon and on her website.
Kasia
Thank you, Lois! I had no idea why it was called Sylwester!! Happy New Year to you and Ed again! Fireworks are allowed in our neighborhood – and just like in Poznan, as soon as it got dark, they have started. It will sound and smell like a battlefield by midnight. Luke is very excited as we got some fireworks for him. Just to think that several years ago he was absolutely afraid of fireworks.
Lois B
Kasia – it will be exciting, and I know you'll all be careful. The one year our girls had sparklers, someone got burned. Happy New Year!
Anonymous
The video you posted in your website comes up as private, is it meant to be?
Lois B
Anonymous – no it wasn't intended to be private. Is anyone else having trouble seeing it? Great shots of the fireworks in front of our flat, some launched vertically, one launched horizontally.
Laurie
Hi Lois!
Thank you so much for writing your cook book… but you’ve totally blown my reputation for not knowing how or liking to cook.
I made your baked pierogies for Thanksgiving and everyone was crazy about them!
My hubby made your tomato soup and it was fantastic!
I just finished making your potato soup… amazing!
I didn’t have carrots or parsnips so I substituted leaks.
Vaughn was amazed at how delicious it was!
I bought a book for each of my 5 children for Christmas and one of my daughters said they had just been talking about wanting to learn how to do Polish cooking!
Thank you so much for following your dreams!
I am glad you’re having a wonderful New Year’s in Poland and wish you a safe trip back when your through.
Love ya
Laurie
polishhousewife
I’m so happy that I can share my love of cooking with you, Laurie. Now, you can teach me to grow plants in the desert, my green-thumbed friend. <3
Barbara Karr
Thank you for a year of heartwarming memories!! Your blog brings back memories of growing up in a Polish community. The foods, traditions, the holidays, all part of my childhood. Some of the traditions were given new meaning. For some, I didn’t know the history of the celebrations. Never once did you disappoint. Tradition makes our lives more meaningful. As we enter a new year your articles bring our past and present together. Thank you for sharing and I hope you and yours have a wonderful and blessed New Years!
trish
i just had to write and tell you how much i enjoyed your blog.
i live in montana in the u.s. and have used recipes from this site.
my parents, grandparents and great grandparents are from poland and
beyond that as well. i love our traditions that have been passed down through
generations. i learned from an early age how to make halupki, platski, halushki, pierogi and
many other dishes. the only thing i wish i had more of are recipes for baked goods.
i will keep checking this site for recipes and just to hearing more stories abt.traditions. it’s new years eve here and with the pandemic raging here it will be very quiet night.
my husband and i would love to visit poland before we get any older. he is also polish
so he also enjoys polish dishes and we often make food together.
thank you for taking the time to share recipes and just general information related to poland.
polishhousewife
Thanks for taking the time to write, Trish. You made my day. Happy New Year to you and yours.