#TRADITION #SIGHTEEING
 

Christmas nativity scenes
 

”Szopka” is a Polish tradition of presenting nativity scenes in churches in a form of figures of Virgin Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and animals. Every year in the Christmas period, catholic churches build thatched sheds with camels, cows, sheep and shepherd dogs watching the newly born Jesus in amazement (that’s the standard, traditional version) or poetic, modern scenes full of metaphor with Jesus born among blocks of flats. Don’t be surprised to see a living nativity scene every now and again (e.g. outside Praga’s Cathedral) with real animals and crowds of children watching them. One of the most unique experiences is an animated, mechanical nativity scene in the Capuchin church in 13 Miodowa St., just off the Old Town (open daily from 26 December). A Christmas tradition is a family walk in the Old Town or Krakowskie Przedmieście to visit churches and admire nativity scenes. So when in Warsaw, do as Varsovians do and go ‘churching’ this Christmas!
 

Where: Churches around Warsaw

When: 24 December – 02 February

How much: free!
 

#SPORTS
 

Go skating!
 

With the mild winter we’re going through this year it’s not really sure if we mean roller-skating or ice-skating, is it?:) Well, as much as we’d like Warsaw to be at least 20 degrees C in December and January, life’s not that easy for us and we definitely get more occasions to go ice-skating in winter time. If you’ve been to the Old Town Sq. already, you know there’s an ice-rink there that is also going to be open during Christmas time. Get some fresh air and go skating!

Where: Old Town Sq.

Map: click to open

When: Mon-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm

How much: free! 7 zł if you need to rent skates
 

 

#EXHIBITION
 

Friends in art
 

Robert Maciejuk and Honza Zamojski’s “Above and Below” exhibition is a culmination of their long-time friendship and artistic collaboration, which has seen a joint book project, Vases, and two exhibitions of Maciejuk’s art curated by Zamojski at Galeria Starter. The exhibition presents mostly new works, never previously shown in public, ranging from large-format drawings and oil paintings, through forms in space, to an artist’s book created in collaboration with the art critic Andrzej Kostołowski. In formal terms, the works vary widely but recurring motifs bind the multi-element installation into a cohesive whole. This is a kind of critical dialogue with tradition but also a friendly discussion between two long-time artistic collaborators. (Text: zacheta.art.pl)

Where: Zachęta National Art Gallery

Map: click to open

When: until 16 February, Tue-Sun 12pm-8pm (24 Dec 12pm-3pm, 25 Dec closed, 26 Dec 12pm-8pm)

How much: 15 zł (10 zł reduced), free of charge on Thursdays

Details: click here
 

 

And don’t forget to come to our free, guided walking tour of Warsaw! Everyday! Click “Orange Umbrella Free Tour Warsaw” on the left for more details. 


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