Mar 3 • 07:35 UTC 🇵🇱 Poland Wprost

New day off work? Just before Easter. There is a petition

A petition has been submitted in the Polish Parliament to make Good Friday a public holiday, reflecting changing public opinion on the matter.

The discussion about whether Good Friday should be recognized as a public holiday resurfaces almost every year in Poland. In a 2024 survey conducted by SW Research for 'Wprost', 71.2% of respondents supported the introduction of a new day off work, while 16.4% opposed it, and 12.4% were undecided. A similar survey conducted a year later showed a significant shift, with only 46.8% in favor, 37.2% against, and 16% unable to decide clearly. This suggests that public sentiment on the issue may be evolving, indicating a potential shift in values regarding work-life balance and religious observance.

This year, Easter takes place on April 5, and both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are already considered public holidays. However, there is momentum to include Good Friday as well, considering it forms part of the Paschal Triduum, which lasts from the evening of Maundy Thursday until Easter Sunday evening. This inclusion would reflect the importance of the full observance of the Easter celebrations within the Christian tradition in Polish culture.

The petition submitted to the Polish Parliament aims to officially recognize Good Friday as a public holiday by the end of 2025. The outcome of this petition could potentially change the landscape of public holidays in Poland and may indicate a broader acceptance of religious holidays in a predominantly Catholic country. It also highlights ongoing discussions regarding the balance between religious traditions and modern work demands in society, making it a pertinent issue for many Poles.

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