CELEBRATIONS
What is Fat Thursday? History and how to celebrate
Fat Thursday, while not as widely celebrated in the United States as it is in some other countries, marks the last Thursday before Lent with indulgent foods.
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The tradition of Fat Thursday in the US stems from the immigration of Polish immigrants who brought their cultural customs and traditions with them to their new homeland. In cities with significant Polish-American populations, such as Chicago, Detroit, and Buffalo, Fat Thursday is observed the most. This year it fall on 8 February.
The history of Fat Thursday dates back centuries, with its roots in pre-Lenten festivities where people would indulge in rich, fatty foods before the fasting period of Lent began. In Poland, Fat Thursday has been celebrated since at least the Middle Ages, and it remains one of the most popular and beloved traditions in the country. The UK has a similar tradition on Shrove Tuesday, more affectionately known as ‘Pancake Day’, though this is on Mardi Gras itself.
Celebrating Fat Thursday
On Fat Thursday, Poles indulge in a variety of sweet treats, with the most iconic being pączki (pronounced “ponch-key”), which are deep-fried doughnuts filled with jam or other sweet fillings.
Other traditional Polish treats enjoyed include faworki (angel wings), a type of crispy fried pastry dusted with powdered sugar, and krokiety, which are savory crepes filled with meat or mushrooms and then fried.
As you may have guessed from these items and the name, the aim is to use up all your sugary and fatty foods before Lent when they are subsequently given up. Run wild, if you are a practicing Christian it might be your last chance before Easter!