Christmas wishes

 Christmas wishes  for students from Alytus Likiskeliai basic school.

Christams time !!!

We are singing Christmas songs :)

Story telling - performance

Students from Class Ie

The 12 Dishes of Polish Christmas

In Poland, Christmas Eve dinner is the most important celebration of the year. Although this meal is reserved for the closest family, it is customary to set an extra plate and seat for an unexpected guest or even a vagrant. Most of the dishes served are cooked specifically on this special day – and only once a year!

Christmas Eve practices are guided by custom rather than by faith, and so Christian (predominantly Catholic) conservative families and modern or aethist families alike celebrate with traditional cuisine. Meat is not allowed. What’s on the plate is based on traditional and seasonal products available in winter. Christmas Eve traditions, including culinary ones, are the combination of ancient pagan customs with religious ones introduced by the Catholic Church, local traditions and various folk cultures. The supper, which traditionally includes twelve dishes and desserts, may last for a good couple of hours. It is followed by an exchange of gifts. Sometimes the Christmas Eve menus reflect its multicultural aspects, as Jews, Poles, Germans, Lithuanians and other minorities lived together in the past.
Christmas Eve dinner starts when the first star appears in the sky. Nothing may be eaten until all members of the family have broken the Christmas wafers ("opłatek") together and exchanged wishes for good health and prosperity. During the meal, all guests should taste a bit of everything. According to traditions, bits of hay are spread beneath the tablecloth as a reminder that Christ was born in a manger.

Why do Poles eat twelve dishes during the Christmas Eve dinner?

Christmas Eve dinner, 1966, photo: Romuald Broniarek / Forum

The tradition calls for twelve traditional courses to be served during the Polish Christmas Eve. This number is the symbol of the richness, twelve Apostles and represents the twelve months of the year. But in the past, dinner consisted of an odd number of dishes. The preparation of the traditional dishes takes a lot of time. Many restaurants and shops offer ready products, but Poles still prefer to cook traditional family recipes as they always taste better. Some specific dishes may differ from various regions, but many of them are universal.

Christmas Eve red borscht with ceps raviolis (uszka)

Christmas Eve dinner often starts with a beetroot soup (red borscht) - probably the most popular soup for that day. The Christmas version varies from the common one. Christmas bortsch requires a sour base ("zakwas") which is to be made a few days in advance. It consists of raw beets, peeled and cut into slices, fermented, during four to five days, in pre-boiled and chilled water with or without garlic. It is then mixed, for example, with both a light broth made from dried wild mushrooms and a vegetable broth. This traditional Christmas borscht usually is served with tiny dumplings stuffed with a mix of soaked (and then nicely chopped) dried ceps and fried onion. These are called "uszka" meaning "little ears" in Polish. Borscht is traditionally served in the south of the country, particularly in the Podhale region, close to the touristic Tatra mountains. There "uszka" are replaced with large, white beans.

Christmas Eve mushroom soup

This soup which is also served very often at Christmas Eve dinner is made from dried forest mushrooms (the best ones are ceps). The flavor of dried forest mushrooms is part of the Polish culinary heritage. This delicious soup usually comes with square or thin noodles. Other traditional Christmas Eve soups are soft water fish soup (for example, carp), white bortsch, vegetarian Christmas Eve sour rye soup or old fashioned sweet almond soup.

Christmas Eve Carp

The tradition of carp farming in Poland is at least 700 hundred years old. However, it became an eminent part of Polish culinary traditions only after World War II. It is more popular than noble fish like sander, eel or pike. Today carp is the Christmas Eve must-have in many families. Poles developed species of carp (for example, karp zatorski) which are certified regional products of good quality. Christmas Eve carp is often accompanied by hot sauerkraut with dried mushrooms, a vegetable salad or potatoes. There are numerous local, ancient and interesting recipes, inlcuding carp in grey sauce, carp with dried mushrooms and cream or stuffed with parsley.

Carp Jewish style

In the Lesser Poland region (Małopolska), many families continue the tradition of preparing "Jewish style" carp fish for Christmas Eve dinner. In the past, this was a traditional meal of the Ashkenazi Jews living in Central-Eastern Europe. Pieces of fish are cooked slowly in a fish stock. It is served in a natural jelly with onion, almonds, raisins and soft bread.

Herrings

Herrings are very popular in Poland at any time of year, and they are also served at Christmas Eve. Poles in Scandinavian and Baltic nations know how to prepare this healthy fish, and so Polish gastronomy has quite a range of recipes for herrings. The most popular preparations are classic herrings fillets ("matjes") in oil (the best ones are in healthy linen oil), or with cream, sour apples, chopped onions, usually served with the so-called root vegetable salad or potatoes.

Pierogi

Pierogi - the most recognizable Polish food abroad. The Christmas version of those half-circular dumplings is stuffed with cabbage or sauerkraut and dried forest mushrooms such as ceps. Interesting regional varieties - most notably coming from the eastern territories - are sweet pierogi stuffed with smoked and dried plums or with poppy seeds.

Braised Sauerkraut

Polish Christmas Eve smells predominantly like sauerkraut. Sauerkraut has always existed in the Polish diet and is one of the most popular and recognizable food preparations. One can see the strong presence of sauerkraut in the Polish culinary culture during Christmas Eve. Nearly everybody braises sauerkraut as either filling for pierogi or as a side dish with the addition of dried forest mushrooms or tiny white beans. Some Poles also like it with soaked raisins.

Cabbage rolls (gołąbki)

The cabbage roll is a type of comfort food eaten all year round. In daily cooking it is usually stuffed with meat, but it changes its face during Christmas. In those households where they are served on that special evening, the stuffing is vegetarian and contains cereals (buckwheat, pearl barley or rice) and dried forest mushrooms.

Kutia

Kutia is an ancient dessert with origins in Eastern European made exclusively for the Christmas Eve dinner. Today, it is still served in many households where families have some roots in the Eastern part of Old Poland. It is a mixture of cooked, unprocessed wheat grains, cooked poppy seeds, honey, dried or candied fruits soaked in a small amount of port or red wine and various nuts - usually almonds, sunflower grains or walnuts. In the past kutia not only had a culinary meaning but was connected to religious beliefs.

Old Polish piernik

Baking gingerbread in Poland is a tradition several hundred years old. Gingerbread from Toruń – the city of Nicolas Copernicus – was already known in the 17th century. Ancient Polish cuisine was full of exotic spices, inlcuding ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. The traditional Old Polish “piernik” which is still prepared in many homes requires a lot of time and attention. The dough consists of honey, lard, sugar, eggs, flour and a mixture of gingerbread spices. It must be made a good couple of weeks in advance to maturate and gain the very special gingerbread taste. Baking it a couple of days before Christmas Eve makes it ideal for consumption. It is then cut along and eaten with layers of traditional plum preserves ("powidła"). It remains fresh for a long time. Poles also bake a lot of small ginger cookies which also serve as Christmas tree decoration.

Dried fruit compote (kompot z suszu)

Poles love dried and smoked fruits and use them especially in Christmas dishes. Compote is a traditional and popular beverage served at the end of Christmas Eve. It is made from cooked dried and smoked fruits, typically plums, apples, pears, raisins and apricots. Its most appreciated purpose is to speed-up digestion.

Poppy seed cake (makowiec)

This tiny, black grain symbolizes prosperity and must be included in the Chirstmas menu. Poppy seed cakes are eaten by Poles year round, but the traditional Christmas poppy seed cake is a bit different – the layers of the dough should be thinner and the layers of the sweet poppy seed cream should be thicker. In some regions, a few other desserts with poppy seeds are made for Christmas Eve. "Makówki," a traditional poppy seed-based dessert, is a must in Silesia, as well as “makiełki," bread rolls soaked in milk or water, served with dried fruits and honey, and a dried fruits compote.

My story

A birthday party

Last year my birthday party was great. I invited all of my friends.

It was the fourteenth of November and I was so excited. I prepared some games for party. After that I wore a black dress which had a red ribbon around the waist. greet my friends. I was so happy to see that everyone came.

I opened my presents one by one and all of them were amazing. I got necklaces, bracelets, a board  game and crayons. Then we ate pizza. When I decided to play some music so we could all have fun. Finally we finished eating and started talking, playing games, dancing and singing until the cake arrived. It was a chocolate cake and it was delicious.

The party ended and it was time to say goodbye to all my friends. However, my cousin and I stayed there until midnight, talking and listening to music. It was the best party of my life.
Karolina Bruns 1e

My first day at school

I am writing about my first day at school. I went to school with my best friend Noemi three months ago. When we entered the classroom there were a lot of students. First, we sat at the desks. After that the teacher came into the classroom. I most remember my new class teacher. Her name was Monika. She was wearing a black dress and white jumper. We were talking about us and our hobbies.  Then our teacher showed  us our new  school. I  like my new school and my wonderful classmates. I felt really excited. This day was amazing.  

 Katarzyna Mackiewicz klasa   I c

New Year's Day
The most memorable party in my life was a few months ago. We celebrated New Year's Day. The party was in one of the club in Bialystok. Everyone were costumes of famous people. I remember the most my friend Kate, which was dressed up as Adele. We had a lot of competitions where we could won some prices. After midnight everyone went to the dance-floor, and we had great timeto the end of the party. I have a lot of great memories from this party. I had great humor at this party, because I met there many new friends
Adrian Porowski klasa Ic

My brother's wedding.
One month ago I was at my brother's wedding. It was on Saturday. First, we went to the church for the ceremony. Then we went to the wedding room. There were many people. Everyone had a good time. They danced and ate. I remember my sister most, because I sat opposite her. She was wearing a beautiful red dress and black heels. She was talking with guests. It was an amazing day. I felt very happy.
Noemi Zimnowodzka Ic


School Party 

 Two weeks ago I had a school party in ,,Krąg”.All the classes were there.It started at 5 p.m.All the first classes had a welcome party.First we had to take part in different contests.After that we danced.It was great! Finally ,at about 8 p.m. everybody went home.There was a funny DJ at the disco.He was wearing a blue t-shirt and black jeans.He was young and tall.He played good music and everybody liked it.You could order a song that you like.This day was fantastic.I was happy.I had a lot of fun with my friends.
Aleksandra Pawluczuk Ic


My 18th birthday
There was in 11th of Deceber last year. They were held in Casino in Las Vegas. It was amazing. On the party wear my friends for school. Which was about 100 people
In this party was a lot of famous people. I met Justin Bieber, Ross Lynch, Selena Gomez and The Vamps. There sang me a lot of song. This is my favourite memory for my birthday. Everybody looked very elegant. I was dressed in a short black dress, on the feet I had high heels and a black handbag. We danced, drank the alcohol and sang the karaoke. When we back at hotel, we listen the loud music. Finally arived to us the Police and they took us to the Police station. My parents must arrived for me Zuzia.They screamed but they didn’t be Bad.
This was my favourite Day in My all life. I was very happy in this Day. I didn’t forget this.
Julia Pożarska klasa Ie


My birthday party
When I was six, I had a birthday party. First, my dad forgotten to bring me my chcolate birthday cake. When guests appeared, they gave me a presents. I get a realy sweet puppy, but my mom doesn't like animals, so she said: „You can't have a dog” I was very sad! After that all childrens sang: „Happy birthday” for me. Then we started playing different games, but I did't won anytime. I was realy sad again. Suddenly, I started to jump and scream. Everyone was scared. First I jumped into my birthday cake. I was angry, because all my guest laughed.
I started jump again. Then I fell off the couch. My mum called an ambulance, because I felt a big ache in my leg.Doctor gave me a cast. That birtday was very unlucky for me, but I will never forget it!
Karolina Milewska klasa 1e

My best friend birthday party
I was at my best friend birthday in New York.It was Saturday and there was a very sunny. First,we went to the Starbucks Cafe for the birthday party.After that we listened music,danced,drank cafe and ate donuts,cookie.Then the party was a very big suprise.
It was a American youtubers Bethany,Zoe,Nicole.They went there.We took a photos with their. There weren't any problems.Finally,at about midnight,my best friends blowed out the candles of her birthday cake.We ate a birthday cake and we went to my best friend house.
There were about a five people at the party.I remember my friend cute bear onesie suit.
She was look very nice. It was a great and remember day in my life.I felt very happy,smile and lucky,too. My best friend birthday party was amazing!
Martyna Kuć klasa 1e 

My brother's birthday 
I was at my brother's birthday two mounts ago. It was Sunday and we were having a wonderful time. First, my brother blew candles and after that we ate fruit and ice cream because at my brother's birthday there weren't any dishes. Then, the party started. Everybody was dancing. Next we ate sushi because it arrived. There were a lot of people. I remember us singing the most. After the party I felt very happy. It was a great day! 
Zuzia Selwesiuk, kl. IE

         

Różnice - American and British English

http://www.boredpanda.com/british-american-english-differences-language/