The Latinate and Byzantine realms were responsible for the development of the distinctive character of Poland. Polish culture has always been astonishingly reflective, desiring, and incorporeal. But in spite of this shroud of gravity, visitors see a different Poland. One that is rowdy, wild, and happy. This is most certainly a surprise considering what one sees on the surface appears to be stern and gray.



This two-fold characteristic of Poland of charm and insight has been attributed to the strong 90-proof vodka which almost all Polish household from farmhouse to aristocratic mansion has a large supply of on stock. On the other hand its Polish cuisine might have a say considering the exotic delicacies every Polish kitchen can whip. Interestingly enough many Polish dishes are influenced greatly by France and Italy.

Speaking of the arts, Poland, and its culture, the country's chaotic and suggestive history has given way to Europe's most interesting experiments and works. But the onslaught of Communism tamped down the artistic movement and relegated it into the dark alley of Socialist realism. This gave way to the drab, soviet architecture and uninspired prose, arts, music and poetry. But according to history, the more the attempts to suppress the arts it caused only to come out in another form. Oppression sometimes can be a stimulus to squeeze out the people's creative juices.

Poland and its culture in different centuries have taken diverse turns. In the 19th and 20th centuries the Polish concentration on cultural advancement always took priority over political and economic activity. These aspects have greatly provided to the adaptability of Polish arts with all its intricate traces.

Geologically speaking, Poland and its culture have been greatly affected by its not so well founded position. Battered by Balkan and Russian powers, it has been a big challenge for Poland to stay on balance in the wake of regional changes. Today having the upper hand to the European Union has the country's prosperity improved. Many visitors are finding the progress in Poland along their journey.

Poland is composed of many regions. Each region has its own specific history and influences. Poland and its culture are shaped by this diversity. When you travel you will find divergent regions within the country itself. Take the western part of the country, because of the changes in the border, it has a German influence. The cities which have German influence are Boleslaweic where Polish pottery is made and the city of Gdansk.

Poland and its culture differ large in the north and the south. This is best exemplified with Warsaw in the north and the culture of Krakow in the south. So when traveling into Poland, you will find significantly interesting the different regions and experience the different cultures and the different foods of the different cultures of the region. There is no one Poland among the regions. When you go to Warsaw, you only see Warsaw but not Poland and so on and so forth. Each time you see one region you cannot say you have seen them all. Neither do you see Poland in all the regions. Poland and its culture are steep deep in history. Its culture stretches back hundreds of years.