If you're strolling along the river today you'll notice a rather sizable stage has appeared on the river by Wawel Castle. This mighty set is intended to provide a modern finale to one of Poland's most time-honoured rites - Wianki - the ancient pagan custom of floating wreaths on water.
This Saturday evening, after the magical candle-lit ceremony, the floating arena will be graced by a clutch of Poland's top rock and pop acts, and a night of revelry will get firmly underway. Expect plenty of drunken shenanigans and fire-works galore.
But what is all this wreaths stuff actually about? Well, in times past, maidens would tell their future by the fate of the floating wreaths. Needless to say, a swift sinking was not a good omen, whilst if a strapping young fellow entrapped a wreath, a happy marriage was on the horizon. The tradition continued for hundreds of years and the ceremony always took place on St. John's Eve.
The floating of the wreaths, which are adorned with candles, remains the cornerstone of today's ceremony. This year, the rite is due to begin at 8.30pm. However, it's worth checking at the cultural office for exact times, just in case of last minute changes - something of a phenomenon in this fair land (Cultural Office: ul. sw. Jana 2). You'll have to arrive early to get a good view. After that, it won't be long before the party gets underway, and gentle souls may prefer to retire to a cosy restaurant back in town. Getting sloshed is par for the course. Guests at the Sheraton will have the best view - but an early night is of course out of the question.
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