One thing I have learned here is that Christmas is far from over after January 1st. The epiphany, or Trzech Kroli (Three Kings) holiday is still celebrated here with great reverence and tradition. Doors of houses are inscribed with the letters 'K+M+B' and the year in chalk which is tradition for providing the household with protection against illness and misfortune. Each letter is said to stand either for the traditionally applied names of the Three Kings in Polish - Kacper, Melchior and Baltazar - or for a Latin inscription meaning “Christ bless this house.” It is traditionally kept above the doors year round until they are dusted off or replaced by the next year's markings.
This means the Christmas tree usually stays up until February 2nd and that carols are sung until then too. This was somewhat strange to me since at our house Christmas was usually wrapped up well after Christmas day. Here however, the mistletoe and tree, both looking very dry and dead, have been up for awhile--like they usually are here.
Fortunately we took ours down this weekend. I think the needles all over the floor were getting to A. However, I thought I would include a short video of the kid's piano recital where you can experience Polish Carols, even on this last day of January.
PS. Also check out the piano teacher's very awesome white upright piano! I had never seen a white piano until now and once in England at a very fancy hotel.
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