Editing Fat Thursday

{{Short description|Christian tradition before Lent}}
{{Distinguish|Fat Tuesday}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name =Fat Thursday
|nickname     =
|image        = Polish paczki.jpg
|imagesize = 225px
|caption      = Plate of Polish [[pączki]]
|celebrations =Feasting
|longtype     =Christian, cultural
|type         =German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Spanish
|significance =Celebration period before fasting season of [[Lent]]
|relatedto    =[[Carnival]], [[Fat Tuesday]]
|date         =5
 days before [[Shrove Tuesday]] and [[Mardi Gras]], 6 days before [[Ash Wednesday]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.wbfo.org/post/youve-heard-fat-tuesday-theres-also-fat-thursday |title=You've heard of Fat Tuesday, but there's also Fat Thursday |last=Mroziak |first=Michael |date=2017-02-23 |access-date=2020-01-26 |publisher=WFBO |df=mdy-all}}</ref> 52 days before [[Easter]]
|date{{LASTYEAR}}    = {{Moveable date |holiday=Fat Thursday |year={{LASTYEAR}} |format=infobox}}
|date{{CURRENTYEAR}} = {{Moveable date |holiday=Fat Thursday |year={{CURRENTYEAR}} |format=infobox |cite=y}}
|date{{NEXTYEAR}}    = {{Moveable date |holiday=Fat Thursday |year={{NEXTYEAR}} |format=infobox}}
|date{{NEXTYEAR|2}}  = {{Moveable date |holiday=Fat Thursday |year={{NEXTYEAR|2}} |format=infobox}}
|frequency    =Annual
}}

'''Fat Thursday''' is a Christian tradition in some countries marking the last Thursday before [[Lent]] and is associated with the celebration of [[Carnival]]. Because Lent is a time of fasting, the days leading up to [[Ash Wednesday]] provide the last opportunity for feasting (including simply eating [[Lent#Associated customs|forbidden items]]) until [[Easter]]. Traditionally it is a day dedicated to eating, when people meet in their homes or cafés with their friends and relatives and eat large quantities of sweets, cakes and other meals usually not eaten during Lent. Among the most popular all-national dishes served on that day are [[pączki]] in Poland<ref>{{cite web|title=Poles gorge themselves on Fat Thursday|website=TheNews.pl|url=http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/90408,Poles-gorge-themselves-on-Fat-Thursday  |access-date=2013-02-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423064803/http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/90408,Poles-gorge-themselves-on-Fat-Thursday |archive-date=April 23, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>Fat Thursday in Poland – [http://lodzpost.com/entertainment/fat-thursday-in-poland-or-happy-doughnut-day/ Lodz Post – Poland in English] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206024832/http://lodzpost.com/entertainment/fat-thursday-in-poland-or-happy-doughnut-day/ |date=February 6, 2016 }}</ref> or [[Berliner (pastry)|Berliners]], fist-sized donuts filled with rose hip jam, and angel wings ([[faworki]]), puff pastry fingers served with powdered sugar.

==By country==

===France===
Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) is a time when crepes would be served to use up stores of butter or lard and eggs, similar to the Shrove Tuesday tradition regarding pancakes in England.

===Germany===
{{lang|de|Weiberfastnacht}} is an unofficial holiday in the [[Rhineland]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4220268/tyrone_daily_herald/ "Attack of the Giant Bananas: Germany Kicks off Carnival"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513055143/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4220268/tyrone_daily_herald/ |date=May 13, 2016 }} ''Tyrone Daily Herald'' (February 7, 1996): 9. via [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}}</ref> At the majority of workplaces, work ends before noon. Celebrations start at 11:11 am in Germany. In comparison with [[Rosenmontag]], there are hardly any parades, but people wear costumes and celebrate in pubs and in the streets.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4220180/weiberfastnacht_in_1972/ "Mark in Germany"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513055133/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4220180/weiberfastnacht_in_1972/ |date=May 13, 2016 }} ''Lake Park News'' (March 2, 1972): 7. via [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}}</ref> {{lang|de|Beueler Weiberfastnacht}} ("women's carnival in Beuel") is traditionally celebrated in the [[Bonn]] district of Beuel.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4220218/weiberfastnacht_in_beuel_1959/ "This was 'Weiberfastnacht,' and Milady Held the Reins"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512235006/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4220218/weiberfastnacht_in_beuel_1959/ |date=May 12, 2016 }} ''Salt Lake Tribune'' (February 6, 1959): 35. via [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}}</ref> The tradition is said to have started here in 1824, when local women first formed their own "carnival committee". The symbolic storming of the Beuel town hall is broadcast live on TV.  In many towns across the state of [[North Rhine Westphalia]], a ritual "takeover" of the town halls by local women has become tradition. Among other established customs, on that day women cut off the ties of men, which are seen as a symbol of men's status. The men wear the stumps of their ties and get a {{lang|de|Bützchen}} (little kiss) as compensation.<ref>Petra Pluwatsch: Weiberfastnacht – Die Geschichte eines ganz besonderen Tages. KiWi, Köln, {{ISBN|978-3-462-03805-7}}</ref>

===Greece===
{{main|Tsiknopempti}}
Known as Tsiknopempti in [[Greece]], it is part of the traditional celebrations of {{Transliteration|el|Apókries}} ({{lang|el|Απόκριες}}), the [[Carnival#Greece|Greek Carnival]] season. The celebration, normally translated as Smelly Thursday, Charred Thursday, or Smoky Thursday, centers on the consumption of large amounts of grilled and roasted meats.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

===Italy===
[[File:Francesco Guardi - Carnival Thursday on the Piazzetta - WGA10852.jpg|thumb|''Carnival Thursday on the Piazzetta'', [[Francesco Guardi]], 1766–1770]]

{{lang|it|Giovedì grasso}} (Fat Thursday) is celebrated in Italy,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4216941/fat_thursday_celebrated_by_the_romans/ "'Fat Thursday' Celebrated by the Romans"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202040359/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4216941/fat_thursday_celebrated_by_the_romans/ |date=February 2, 2017 }} ''Lebanon Daily News'' (February 27, 1930): 1. via [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}}</ref> but it is not very different from {{lang|it|martedì grasso}} ([[Shrove Tuesday]]). In Venice at the turn of the twentieth century, for example, it was marked by "masquerades, a battle of flowers on the Plaza, a general illumination and the opening of the lottery".<ref>Dwight, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4217001/carnival_in_venice_1899/ "Carnival of Venice Opens"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513054849/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4217001/carnival_in_venice_1899/ |date=May 13, 2016 }} ''The Times'' (Philadelphia) (February 10, 1899): 7. via [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}}</ref> The English writer [[Marie Corelli]] mentioned {{lang|it|giovedì grasso}} (as "Giovedi Grasso") in her second novel, ''[[Vendetta!|Vendetta]]'' (1886), as a day when "the fooling and the mumming, the dancing, shrieking, and screaming would be at its height."<ref>Marie Corelli, [https://books.google.com/books?id=zmayCQAAQBAJ&dq=Corelli+Vendetta+Giovedi+Grasso&pg=PA376 ''Vendetta: A Story of One Forgotten''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118163005/https://books.google.com/books?id=zmayCQAAQBAJ&lpg=PA376&ots=mk2d3H9MS2&dq=Corelli%20Vendetta%20Giovedi%20Grasso&pg=PA376 |date=January 18, 2017 }} (Floating Press 2015): 376. {{ISBN|978-1776587513}}</ref>

===Netherlands===
In [[Cologne]], since 1824, the so-called ''[[Weiberfastnacht]]'' is known. On the Thursday before carnaval, women wear men's clothes, reversing the roles and thus literally "being the man". In the Dutch border village [[Groenstraat]] a precursor to the ''Auwwieverbal'' (Old women ball) or ''Auw Wieverdaag'' (old women day) was known already in the early 19th century. The people at that time earned a living by breeding goats and selling women's hair. The Thursday before carnaval, men would sell the hair to their French buyers. After the sale, as the man had plenty of money, they would go visit the pubs. Out of fear that their men would squander the money raised by their hair, the women would find their husbands to prevent them from wasting it on alcohol. The search along the pubs transformed later to the ''Ouwewijvenbal''. The women, this time incognito, firmly asserted themselves to their husbands and other men.<ref>[http://www.goirlesbelang.nl/nw-7833-7-157193/nieuws/stichting_karnaval_ballefruttersgat_organiseert_het_aaw_wvebal.html Stichting Karnaval Ballefruttersgat organiseert het Aaw Wèèvebal – Goirles Belang] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203010209/http://www.goirlesbelang.nl/nw-7833-7-157193/nieuws/stichting_karnaval_ballefruttersgat_organiseert_het_aaw_wvebal.html |date=3 December 2013 }}. Goirlesbelang.nl (28 January 2009). Retrieved on 2015-05-13.</ref>

===Poland===
[[File:Faworki (plate).jpg|thumb|A plate of [[angel wings]]]]
In [[Poland]], Fat Thursday is called {{lang|pl|tłusty czwartek}} (which translates to Fat Thursday). People purchase their favorite pastries from their local bakeries. Traditional foods include [[pączki]] (doughnuts), which are large deep-fried pieces of yeast [[dough]], traditionally filled with [[fruit jam]] or [[Rosa canina|rose]] petal jam (though others are often used) and topped with powdered sugar, [[icing (food)|icing]] or [[glaze (cooking technique)|glaze]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Fat Thursday & Herring Night|url=http://www.inyourpocket.com/poland/Fat-Thursday_72507f|website=inyourpocket.com|access-date=February 7, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207153604/http://www.inyourpocket.com/poland/Fat-Thursday_72507f|archive-date=February 7, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Poland celebrates 'Fat Thursday'|url=http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/126520,Poland-celebrates-Fat-Thursday|website=thenews.pl|access-date=February 7, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207155852/http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/126520,Poland-celebrates-Fat-Thursday|archive-date=February 7, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Angel wings]] ({{lang|pl|faworki}} or {{lang|pl|chrusty}}) are also commonly consumed on this day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brodziński |first=Piotr |date=2011-03-03 |title=Słów kilka o zapustnych zwyczajach |url=https://historia.org.pl/2011/03/03/552/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214110105/https://historia.org.pl/2011/03/03/552/ |archive-date=2024-02-14 |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=Historia.org.pl - Polski portal historyczny}}</ref>

===Slovenia===
In Slovenia, Fat Thursday is celebrated with specific culinary traditions. People often enjoy special foods that are rich and hearty. A common treat is “krof,” a type of doughnut that is usually filled with jam, particularly apricot, and dusted with powdered sugar. These doughnuts are a staple of the celebration and are enjoyed by many.

Apart from krof, other fatty and rich foods are also consumed, reflecting the tradition’s focus on indulgence and enjoyment before the austerity of Lent. The celebration is not just about food; it’s also a time for social gatherings, family get-togethers, and community events, often accompanied by music and festivities.

===Spain===
[[File:Lardero.JPG|thumb|"Bizcochos" and "mona" on Fat Thursday in Albacete, Spain]]
In [[Spain]] this celebration is called {{lang|es|jueves lardero}} or {{lang|es|jueves de comadre}} and in [[Catalan language|Catalan]]-speaking areas, {{lang|ca|dijous gras}}, a children's holiday.<ref>Ora W. L. Slater, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4220348/barcelona_childrens_day_1928/ "Thursday before Lent is Barcelona Children's Day"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513054858/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4220348/barcelona_childrens_day_1928/ |date=May 13, 2016 }} ''El Paso Herald'' (June 25, 1928): 10. via [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}}</ref> In [[Albacete]] in [[Spain]] community of Castille-La Mancha, {{lang|es|jueves lardero}} or {{lang|es|Dia de la Mona}} is celebrated with a round pastry with a boiled egg in the middle called {{lang|es|mona}}. In [[Aragon]] a meal is prepared with a special [[:es:Longaniza de Graus|sausage]] from [[Graus]] while in Catalonia the tradition is to eat sweet [[Buñuelo|Bunyols]] and [[:ca:Botifarra d’ou|Botifarra d’ou]].

===Other traditions===
[[Syriac Catholic Church|Syrian Catholics]] have celebrated the day as "Drunkard's Thursday" with [[dolmas]] as the traditional food.<ref>Maxine Buren, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4220329/prelenten_holidays_1960/ "February Has Many Pre-Lenten Holidays"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512235444/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4220329/prelenten_holidays_1960/ |date=May 12, 2016 }} ''Oregon Statesman'' (February 13, 1960): 6. via [[Newspapers.com]] {{open access}}</ref><ref>[https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/recipes/view.cfm?id=26 "Catholic Recipe: Dolmas"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913004134/http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/recipes/view.cfm?id=26 |date=September 13, 2015 }} ''Catholic Culture.org''.</ref>

==See also==
{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}

* [[Mardi Gras]]
* [[Maslenitsa]] (a similar holiday in Russia)
* [[Shrove Tuesday]]
* [[Tsiknopempti]]
{{Div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|25em}}

==External links==
* [https://culture.pl/en/article/fat-thursday-polands-tastiest-tradition Fat Thursday: Poland’s Tastiest Traditions] on Culture.pl
* [http://pl.wikisource.org/wiki/Tablice_świąt_ruchomych Polish movable feasts] in Polish Wikisource

{{Polish folk customs and traditions}}
{{Easter}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Culture of Europe]]
[[Category:February observances]]
[[Category:German traditions]]
[[Category:Greek traditions]]
[[Category:The last week before Great Lent]]
[[Category:Holidays based on the date of Easter]]
[[Category:Slavic carnival]]
[[Category:Observances about food and drink]]
[[Category:Polish traditions]]
[[Category:Thursday observances]]
[[Category:Easter traditions in Poland]]