Truant's Day
March 21, Friday
The essence of the holiday
On Truant's Day, schoolchildren and students in Poland often decide to skip classes in order to celebrate spring in nature or with friends. The name of the holiday itself comes from the Polish word "wagary", which means truancy or absence from classes without a valid reason.
Traditions
Truancy. Schoolchildren and students gather in large groups to spend the day outside of school, often in parks, on picnics or by water.
Symbolic burning of the effigy of Marzanna. Traditionally, on this day in some regions, a ritual of burning or drowning an effigy of winter - Marzanna is held, which symbolizes farewell to winter and the arrival of spring.
Fun and entertainment. The day is often accompanied by informal meetings, walks and games in the fresh air.
Teachers and parents perceive this holiday differently. Some treat it with understanding, seeing it as an opportunity for young people to relax and recharge with a spring mood, while others condemn it because of skipping classes. In recent years, some schools have begun to organize official events on this day, such as sports competitions, excursions or creative workshops, to keep students from skipping classes.