What is the traditional number of Wigilia courses in Poznan area?

What is the traditional number of Wigilia courses in the Poznan area?

The wigilia dinner itself is fixed at seven, nine or eleven courses.

not in wroclaw

is it really different in poznan ?

I thought it had to be twelve...as in the twelve deciples...?

i've always thought this too.

Looks like we are all right depending on which part of Poland you come from.In some regions of Poland only odd number of dishes is served (for instance 11), in other regions - only even number of dishes (12)are served.

In my parents home we celebrated Wigilia with 12 different courses, as explained in Wikipedia:

The evening supper

After first star appears on sky and sharing the opłatek, the supper begins. The number of dishes is traditionally the number of expected guests plus one. The number of courses is traditionally established to be either twelve or an odd number (in Silesia)twelve is symbolic of the number of months in the year is good as well as to celebrate the twelve disciples of Jesus.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wigilia

It's tradition that we put one additional plate for an unexpected guest.

Today, in my home, there is no difference, i am preparing 12 different courses and no meat is allowed.

In the Polish Christmas Customs sight it states"The dinner itself differs from other evening meals in that the number of courses is fixed at seven, nine or eleven. According to myth, in no case must there be an odd number of people at the table, otherwise it is said that some of the feasters would not live to see another Christmas. A lighted candle in the windows symbolizes the hope that the Godchild, in the form of a stranger, may come to share the Wigilia and an extra place is set at the table for the unexpected guest. This belief stems from the ancient Polish adage, "A guest in the home is God in the home."

in twenty years of talking to folk/students this is the first time i've heard the above.

there is great stress on there being twelve dishes. not courses.

If you think 12 dishes are stressfull the read on----A wonderful book, with Polish as well as many other ethnic dishes and customs for the Christian year, is A Continual Feast. This delightful book tells about many Polish Christmas dishes.It tells of a Polish Christmas Eve menu where the number of "courses" is 14, one for each Apostle, one for Mary, and one for Jesus.

On the table are many fishes, including herring and carp, as well as meatless soups of sauerkraut, peas, and mushrooms,noodles with poppy seeds, kutia, and other dishes. A 12-fruit compote is one of these.

When someone from Poland contradicts this I will take notice:

from wikipedia: "In some parts of Central and Eastern Europe such as Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania, a traditional meatless 12-dishes Christmas Eve Supper is served on Christmas Eve before opening gifts. This is known as the "Holy Meal". The table is spread with a white cloth symblic of the swaddling clothes the Child Jesus was wrapped in, and a large white candle stands in the center of the table symbolizing Christ the Light of the World. Next to it is a round loaf of bread symbolizing Christ Bread of Life. Hay is often displayed either on the table or as a decoration in the room, reminiscent of the manger in Bethlehem. The twelve dishes (which differ by nationality or region) symbolize the Twelve Apostles."

It's 12 at my girlfriend's home. Including carp, yuck!

Here is another spin on the amount of dishes at the wigilia dinner and the reason why.---"Though the dishes vary between regions, certain items can be found on almost every Wigilia table: fish, beet soup (barszcz), pierogi, cabbage with mushrooms, beans, potatoes, dried fruit, fresh apples, nuts, and noodles with poppy seed are among the most common. The number of dishes in the meal should be odd, 9 or 11. An even number would eliminate any hope of an increase in wealth, children or anything else that is desirable."

"Weso£ych Świat"