by Zosia, age 8 from Warsaw, Poland, asks Santa about Christmas with a Prince, the rebuilt Old Town, and the Polish Wigilia tradition.
Dear Santa, my name is Zosia, and I am eight years old. I live in Warsaw, Poland, where my babcia says our whole Old Town was rebuilt brick by brick after being badly damaged a long time ago.
Dear Zosia, rebuilding an entire old town brick by brick is one of the most impressive acts of care I have ever seen, your babcia picked a truly resilient hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Have you seen Christmas with a Prince? My siostra watches it every single year with popcorn and hot chocolate.
I have seen a good number of royal-themed Christmas films over the years, Zosia, and your siostra’s popcorn and hot chocolate combination sounds like the proper way to enjoy one. A cozy movie night is a tradition worth keeping.
My teacher says Warsaw sits along the Vistula River, and the Old Town was rebuilt after major damage. Is that true?
It is true, Zosia, the Vistula winds right through your city, and Warsaw’s Old Town was carefully reconstructed after being nearly destroyed during the Second World War, so faithfully that it earned recognition as a World Heritage site. I always feel a deep respect flying over that rebuilt history.
My babcia says on Christmas Eve, Wigilia, we always leave an extra place setting for an unexpected guest. Is that true?
It is true, Zosia, many Polish families leave an empty seat at the Wigilia table in case a stranger or unexpected guest needs a warm meal that night, a quiet reminder that generosity should always leave room for one more. It is one of my favorite traditions anywhere on my route.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Zosia Wozniak
Warsaw, Poland
P.S. Would you ever be the unexpected guest at our Wigilia table?
I would be honored, Zosia, though my schedule rarely allows for a proper sit-down dinner.
