In Poland, New Year’s Eve is known as St Sylvester’s Eve.

This name, according to legend, arose from Pope Sylvester I, who was supposed to have imprisoned a dragon called Leviathan who – it was told – would escape on the first day of the year 1000, devour the land and the people and set fire to the heavens.

On New Year’s Day, when the world did not come to an end, there was great rejoicing and from then on this day was called St Sylvester’s Eve. Traditionally, New Year’s Eve is referred to as Sylwester in Poland.

During New Year’s Eve, Poland remains in an altogether different celebratory mood, with a level of energy, fun and vivacity incomparable to anywhere else I’ve been.

Attending a ball or a concert, dancing to traditional music, and grooving to the vibrant tunes in discotheques and clubs, are all on various lists of must-do activities across Poland on New Year’s Eve. Usually, people do a blend of all those things.

After spending some time with the family, people meet up with friends to head to community parties.

They eat, drink, and dance until midnight. Usually, people head outdoors to watch the extravagant firework shows set off in towns and cities across Poland at the stroke of midnight.

As in many cultures, people raise their drinks in a toast to bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the New Year at this moment. It is also customary to wish friends and family a Happy New Year.

Poles welcome in the New Year with revelry and special foods thought to bring good luck, health and prosperity. Fish, especially those with silver scales, are thought to symbolise money.

Pickled herring are a must for Poles at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Bakers sell breads and rolls in the shape of rabbits, sheep, geese and cows to assure wealth and good fortune for the coming year.

Round or ring-shaped breads are also popular because they symbolise life coming full circle and eternity, while paczki – delicious traditional pastries – are served for dessert.

Sylwester also begins Carnival – a period of balls and parties before Lent begins.

And the Carnival! Oh, that’s really something in Poland... but that’s another story.

Szczesliwego Nowego Roku – Happy New Year!