#kulig

"Kulig" by Halina Zakrzewska-Zaleska, 1984.

Kulig is a sleigh ride event, a traditional winter activity in many parts of Poland. Historically speaking, it was often organized in the last week of the carnival. It was greatly popularized by the Polish aristocracy around 16th century. The most essential and picturesque part of the kulig was the process of transportation in a sleigh carried by horses, often in the night, through snowy fields and forests, with the passengers carrying torches. Kulig riders were visiting different locations where joyful parties were held, accompanied with traditional Polish dancing, singing and feasting. A well-planned kulig with a route connecting for example different estates could've lasted even more than a week or two in the past.