Polish tradition comes to GV with Andrzejki Festival
Walking through the second floor of Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof Center, you could smell Polish cuisine at the opposite end of the hallway from room 2270, where the Polish Andrzejki Festival took place.
Andrzejki (an-dzey-ki) is the day of Saint Andrew, traditionally celebrated on Nov. 29 in Poland.
The main theme of the festival was fortunetelling – or seeing into the future – using a few different methods.
Hot cider, sausage, and cookies lined red and white checkered tablecloths and helped people’s impatience while they waited to get their fortune told.
In the Cups of Fate, three paper cups are flipped upside down and the person, typically a female, would choose one of the cups to indicate the fate of their future. One cup would have a ring meaning marriage, another with a cross symbolizing a religious/monastery life, or lastly, a green plant predicting an unmarried life.
Another method of fortunetelling was a tarot card reading, in which a participant shuffled the deck and was told their fate based on the cards that were turned over.
“I thought the tarot card reading was fairly accurate and really made me think about my life and how I can affect myself and others with my actions,” said attendee and gvsu student Julia Stavale.
Perhaps the most popular event was the “Shadow of Wax,” where melted hot wax was poured through the end of a metal keyhole into a pot of cold water while the participant was told to think of what they want answered or a dream they have of achieving. The hardened wax was removed and a future was told based on the shapes.
Though tradition of St. Andrews Day is not as strong as it once was, with many practices for telling the future now forgotten, the festival continues to provide entertainment and social gatherings.
rmclaughlin@lanthorn.com
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013


Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon

GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.

GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.

GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.

Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement


Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.

Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.

GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".

GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".

GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season

Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.

GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.

GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.

GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library

Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.

GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom

GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.

Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.

Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.

GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.

GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.

GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.

GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.

GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.

GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.

GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.

GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.

GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.

GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
Upcoming Events
All day | GVSU Men's Golf at NCAA Div II Championship
8:00 am | MBA Information Meeting: AM session
10:00 am | SAP Farm Stand
5:30 pm | MBA Information Meeting: PM Session
All day | GVSU Men's Golf at NCAA Div II Championship
7:30 am | GVSU Downtown Toastmasters
11:00 am | GVSU Track & Field at NCAA Championships
5:30 pm | MBA Information Meeting: Holland
7:00 pm | Failure Lab
All day | GVSU Men's Golf at NCAA Div II Championship
11:00 am | GVSU Track & Field at NCAA Championships
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