The Unlikely Image of Cracow, Poland Defined

Many first-time guests to Cracow could also be stunned that town’s most uncovered and revered image just isn’t the well-known dragon. The truth is, it’s a Mongolian man on a passion horse, generally with a baton in his hand. Lajkonik, as the long-lasting passion horse rider is known as in Polish, is definitely a selection with sturdy cultural and historic roots.

Mongolian raids or Tatar raids?

Within the thirteenth century, the Mongolian military was transferring swiftly west and reached the territory of Poland. Cracow was on its method and fell beneath siege by the attackers. The conflict is named the Mongol Invasion of Poland, which can be a little bit complicated at first. You see, Tatars had been one of many tribes residing within the Mongolian lands. And though they joined within the wars in opposition to Western dominions, they assorted in seems, tradition, and faith (Tatars turned Muslims).

That’s why you could generally encounter the raiders collectively known as Tatars. You’ll be able to simply go away the historic experience to the historians and easily keep in mind that the Mongolian military invaded Poland and reached Cracow in 1287. That’s the place the legend of Lajkonik begins.

Greatest to by no means sleep on a job

The Tatars moved shut in the direction of Cracow, however the evening was about to fall. As they didn’t wish to combat at evening, they stopped on the village of Zwierzyniec (immediately’s district of Cracow). They saved guard for some time. Nevertheless, ultimately, all of them fell asleep. For the reason that settlement was situated near the Vistula River, it was the dwelling of the native raftsmen, often known as włócznicy (the wanderers).

They seen the presence of the enemy, and armed with their paddles, they attacked the sleeping hordes of Tatars, defeating the enemy. They took their garments as trophies of conflict and determined to play a prank on the Cracovians. Within the morning, they entered town dressed up because the Tatars. The folks held their breaths however quickly realized that the dancing crowd was their brothers, celebrating the victory over the careless raiders.

True or false Lajkonik

In accordance with some historians, the above legend is a slightly doable origin of the custom of the Lajkonik pageant. The pageant is held on the primary Thursday after Corpus Christi. It’s exactly the time of yr when the occasion is held that factors to its doable origins as an inspiration for the battle of Ołomuniec in 1241, which fell across the time of Corpus Christi. What does the pageant appear to be? Lajkonik has an extended route forward of him, making a number of pit stops right here and there (okay, plenty of pit stops). He normally units out about midday and arrives at his vacation spot – the market sq., the place he’s set to satisfy with the mayor – round 7 pm.

On the best way, there’s plenty of dancing and merrymaking. Lajkonik generally hits the spectators playfully with this baton, which is taken into account good luck. He ‘raids’ the native retailers asking for ransom within the type of meals or ‘spirited drinks.’ The mayor pays the primary ransom, who arms the merry prankster a pile of cash and a chalice. Craocow, as soon as once more, can sleep peacefully and anticipate a complete yr of prosperity. Hooray!

Traits of the best

At the moment’s Lajkonik outfit additionally deserves point out. It’s a true murals because it was designed by probably the most prolific Polish artists – Stanisław Wyspiański, strongly related with Cracow – in 1909. The contrasting, embroidered purple robes look magnificent, and who is aware of, maybe the picture Wyspiański gave the Lajkonik made him so well-known? In any case, aside from the numerous stalls the place you could find dozens of Made-in-China, soulless dragons – Lajkonik is the image chosen to brighten Cracovian trams, is picked by companies for his or her brand, and even a reputation (for instance, a sequence of Lajkonik bakeries and Poland’s Lajkonik producers of savory snacks).

And the funniest factor of all? The individuals who served as the unique inspiration for the entire sport got here from overseas and wished to raid town. It’s extremely doable that solely Poles can flip the picture of their once-feared enemy right into a mascot and worldwide image of the very city they wished to plunder.