Christmas and Easter in the everyday life of the inhabitants of Tarnów and Rzeszów at the turn of the 19th and 20th century form the perspective of the local press

Abstract

At the turn of the 19th and 20th century, Galicia witnessed economic and social changes which commenced the process of modernisation of the society. Although the basis for maintenance for the population was farming and folk culture dictated the rhythm of work and festivals, first signs of changes appeared, especially in major cities (in the Western Galicia – Tarnów and Rzeszów). The time of Advent, Christmas, the Lent and Easter was documented by the local press. A special significance can be attributed to magazines published over a long period of time - in Tarnów “Pogoń” (1881–1914), in Rzeszów “Głos Rzeszowski” (1897–1920). In the above mentioned periods of the liturgical year, the preparation for festivals and the festive habits and customs included: cultural events organised by amateur artists with the intention of collecting donations for charity, patriotic evenings, performances by professional artists, public and university lectures, preparation of gifts (Santa Claus, Christmas Eve), participation in Lenten retreat, purchase of festive tables (also advertised in the press), sending festive postcards or making donations for charity (especially for the Folk School Society), following changes in weather, the periods of festive breaks, extraordinary schedules of trains, reading of prose and poetic works, care for festive traditions in families, solidarity with Polish people in other partitions, hope to regain sovereignty expressed in festive wishes in newspapers.