What is the drowning of Marzanna you ask?
From PoloniaMusic.com:
The custom of drowning Marzanna (also known as Marzaniok, Morenam, Mór, Śmiertka, Śmiercicha), the symbol of winter, was most popular among youngsters in certain regions of Poland. Children would make a straw effigy dressed and throw it into a nearby river and rejoice in winter’s departure and the advent of warmer weather. “Marzanna” was the name of the ancient pagan goddess of Death.
In Buffalo, Amy Smardz of the Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle took up the tradition here a few years ago. She and others gather on a bridge over the Buffalo River and go about drowning Marzanna. They will be tossing Marzanna again this Sunday at 2:00 PM.
Afterward, there will be reception with light fare at the Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle at 612 Fillmore Avenue.
I love when old Polish customs make their way across the pond to our Polonia here in Buffalo. It’s definitely something cool and quirky to do.
———————————————
Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 2 PM
Seneca Bluffs – Buffalo, New York 14210
(click here for directions)
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1695558350728801/
Here are some pictures from Manya Metzler Pawlak of the Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble from previous drownings. Thanks, Manya! Click on images for full view.
