Aneta Orkwiszewska, an au pair from Poland, took part in the “Hands Around A World” program at A Child’s Place at 90 Hillspoint Road on Wednesday March 23rd. She told the class of four and five year olds about the March 21st Polish holiday, Topienie Marzanny, a holiday which celebrates the arrival of Spring.
In Poland, Marzanna, the evil winter goddess, is usually depicted as a doll made of straw. At the end of winter, she is burned or thrown in the water so that Spring can arrive. For Spring to come to Westport, the children had to find Marzanna and lock her in a cabinet. To get ready for their search, each child had to perform an interactive task, such as clapping hands, hopping twice on one foot, drawing a tree and house or jumping like a rabbit. The class then followed the picture clues placed around the school to find the wicked Marzanna. After successfully locking her up so Spring can arrive, the children feasted on Krowki Milanowski, Polish fudge candies, and played a Polish version of “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”” It was a fun morning for all. Thanks, Aneta, for sharing a little of your Polish culture. 
