The Culture of Poland

The behavior and way of Polish life has been formed more than a thousand years ago. The national culture evolved at the intersections of the Latinate and Byzantine worlds, in persistent negotiation with some ethnic groups in Poland. The citizens of Poland have constantly been warm to international artists and adopted various cultural and artistic styles popular in other countries. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the country concentrated on cultural progress, frequently accepted precedence over economic and political activities. These factors have added to the various type of Polish art, with all its complex refinements.

Customs, attires, manners have reflected the influences of east and west. The traditional costumes used by the aristocracy in the 16th and 17th centuries were inspired by rich Eastern cosmetic fashion with its Islamic influences. Cuisine is another scene of Poland's cultural individuality. The typical Polish food includes kaszanka, kotlet schabowy, pierogi, mizeria, etc.

The most celebrated Polish composer was Fryderyk Chopin. Other Polish classical music composers inlcude Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, Karol Szymanowski, Krzysztof Penderecki, Mieczysław Karłowicz Witold Lutosławski and Wojciech Kilar. Some distinguished Polish jazzmen are Adam Makowicz, Krzysztof Komeda, Michał Urbaniak and Tomasz Stańko.

Museums and festivals in the country extend a wide scope of cultural experience. The famous music festivals are the Warsaw Autumn and the Wratislavia Cantans. Polish museums showcase remarkable art collections-masterworks including Last Judgement by Hans Memling; Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine at the Czartoryski Museum in Kraków and the Veit Stoss High Altar in St. Mary's Basilica, Kraków.