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street patron celebrations
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St Martin’s Day: Street Patron’s Celebration
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Celebrated on 11th November, Independence Day is by definition a joyful occasion. However, typically limited to official ceremonies, state holidays and anniversaries in Poland are usually far from being cheerful and spontaneous occasions.
In Poznań, however, things are different.
11th November also happens to be St Martin’s Day. Besides St Peter and Paul, patrons of the town, he is the most popular saint in Poznań: he has a church dedicated to his name, a local speciality – crescent-shaped sweet bun – bearing his name (with which inhabitants of the town stuff themselves on 11th November); finally, there is St Martin street, the town’s main thoroughfare, in which "Zmek" Culture Centre is located. It was here, at the Castle, that in mid-1990s an idea germinated to revive the tradition of street fêtes dedicated to various patron saints (of streets, towns, or guilds), and hold sumptuous street celebrations of St Martin’s Day.
Every year, the climax of the event is a colourful parade, which leaves St Martin Church after the indulgence high mass. Headed by the Patron, the procession crosses St Martin street and heads for the square in front of the Castle. Here, the mayor presents the saint with the key to the town’s gates, which is the sign to start the last street festival before winter chill. The name-day guests have a choice of open-air concerts, performances, film shows, exhibitions (often related to the history of the street and the town), St Martin bun bazaar, and, finally, a fireworks display.
The saint is known to have cut his cloak in two to clothe a half-naked beggar he met in the middle of winter at the gates of Amiens. For several years, to commemorate the gesture, the "Zamek" and "Barka" Foundation have organized a charity event "Pomóż bliźnim przetrwać zimę" [Help Thy Neighbour Make It Through Wintertime].
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