The appearance of costumed figures with masks announces the end of Carnival and the beginning of Lent, as well as bidding farewell to winter and welcoming spring.
The colorful procession of Shrovetide groups, which passed through the streets of Osiek, ended with a Carnival ball for the youngest participants.
The procession of costumed figures is the best-known Carnival custom. Depending on the region of the country, the cheerful parade featured a horse, a goat, a stork, a chimney sweep, a devil, death, a doctor, a woman and an old man, accompanied by musicians “armed” with such distinctive folk instruments as mazanki fiddles, bagpipes and hurdy-gurdies. The procession was led by Prince Zapust, a straw effigy.
It is difficult to imagine Fat Thursday without doughnuts and faworki pastry. Therefore, after the group procession, everyone was invited to a table laden with sweet baked treats.
Zgorzelecki County/ii