Regional baking goods - "obwarzanek"

Have you ever heard about obwarzanek? I’m sure the most of you have, but have you eaten it in Poznań? I haven’t, even if I had looked for it in some bakeries in the city, and its lack surprised me a lot. In fact, it is difficult to get it in this part of Poland. I remember that in my home town (I’m from the South-East Poland) it has been a common part of the assortment of every bakery - a “must-have”-  and I’m sure it still is.

The thing is that it is a regional product, registered on the list of European Union in 2010. Not much time ago, but the history of obwarzanek is very long – the first mention about it dates the 14^th century. It used to be baked exclusively on Lent in Cracow, but now it has no religious connotation. The other Slavic countries have similar types of baked goods, known under different names.

According to the restrictions of EU, obwarzanek "should be between 12 and 17 centimeters in diameter, weigh 80 to 120 grams and its color should range from golden to light brown". The ingredients include flour, fat, yeast, sugar, water and salt. Before baking, the dough is shortly boiled – “obwarzać” in old Polish, and that’s the word that originated obwarzanek. It has very characteristic shape – it’s made of an oblong twisted piece of dough that forms a circle. It may contain poppy seed, sesam or salt on top. It’s very tasty, slightly sweet and it may be eaten without other additions, just as a snack – and I suppose that’s the most common way of consuming it. It is possible to eat it as a roll, though – you have just cut it on longways and cover with honey, jam or cottage cheese.
 

Official language.

In reference to the last post on the blog “Romancing English”, I would like to respond to the question : Should those who choose to live in a foreign country be required to learn its official language?

This question seems very interesting to me, but also very complex and not evident at the same time. What is more, I consider it is impossible to give the one correct response because of a variety of factors that must be taken in consideration.

First of all, I think it is worth mentioning that those who choose to be naturalized have an obligation to know the official language of the state on a precise level, specified by law. That means there is no chance to avoid learning language as it is one of the conditions of the naturalization -  and not the only one, so not all foreigners try to obtain it, especially if they do not need it. I suppose the majority do not, and in that case it is up to them to learn the language or not.

When we live in a community, we must communicate with its other members. Language is one of frequent and precise ways of communication. If one do not know the language others speak, then the communication becomes much more difficult. That is the case of both private and official sphere of life. Let is imagine that there is an official document to sign or to fill in. To do that, it is necessary to understand the content and then write what is needed, which is impossible with no language skills! The important document respected by law then seems to be just a sheet of paper, full of bizarre and incomprehensible words.

With private life is even more difficult : how to spend time with people with whom one cannot communicate? Of course, it is possible to meet only family or friends who speak the same language, but on the other hand, the confrontation with indigenous residents is inevitable for those who live in a certain country longer period of time. Even acquaintance of some simple words or expressions may facilitate everyday life. It also arouses respect and kindness of indigenous residents.

However, not everyone is interested in learning an official language. How to cope with that? Some people have a spouse (or any other member of family, or a friend) who speaks the language and helps them, for some of them English is enough. But despite that, I would encourage everyone to not to ignore such a crucial aspect of social life as an official language.