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Fat Thursday
Fat Thursday
Fat Thursday
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Fat Thursday
Plate of Polish pączki
TypeChristian, cultural
SignificanceCelebration period before fasting season of Lent
CelebrationsFeasting
Date5 days before Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras, 6 days before Ash Wednesday,[1] 52 days before Easter
2025 dateFebruary 27
2026 dateFebruary 12
2027 dateFebruary 4
2028 dateFebruary 24
FrequencyAnnual
Related toCarnival, Fat Tuesday

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 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[2][3] or Berliners, fist-sized donuts filled with rose hip jam, and angel wings (faworki), puff pastry fingers served with powdered sugar.

By country

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France

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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

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Weiberfastnacht is an unofficial holiday in the Rhineland.[4] 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.[5] Beueler Weiberfastnacht ("women's carnival in Beuel") is traditionally celebrated in the Bonn district of Beuel.[6] 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 Bützchen (little kiss) as compensation.[7]

Greece

[edit]
Main article: Tsiknopempti

Known as Tsiknopempti in Greece, it is part of the traditional celebrations of Apókries (Απόκριες), the 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]

Italy

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Carnival Thursday on the Piazzetta, Francesco Guardi, 1766–1770

Giovedì grasso (Fat Thursday) is celebrated in Italy,[8] but it is not very different from 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".[9] The English writer Marie Corelli mentioned giovedì grasso (as "Giovedi Grasso") in her second novel, Vendetta (1886), as a day when "the fooling and the mumming, the dancing, shrieking, and screaming would be at its height."[10]

Netherlands

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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.[11]

Poland

[edit]
A plate of angel wings

In Poland, Fat Thursday is called tłusty czwartek. 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 rose petal jam (though others are often used) and topped with powdered sugar, icing or glaze.[12][13] Angel wings (faworki or chrusty) are also commonly consumed on this day.[14]

Slovenia

[edit]

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

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"Bizcochos" and "mona" on Fat Thursday in Albacete, Spain

In Spain this celebration is called jueves lardero or jueves de comadre and in Catalan-speaking areas, dijous gras, a children's holiday.[15] In Albacete in Spain community of Castille-La Mancha, jueves lardero or Dia de la Mona is celebrated with a round pastry with a boiled egg in the middle called mona. In Aragon a meal is prepared with a special sausage from Graus while in Catalonia the tradition is to eat sweet Bunyols and Botifarra d’ou.

Other traditions

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Syrian Catholics have celebrated the day as "Drunkard's Thursday" with dolmas as the traditional food.[16][17]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Fat Thursday

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Fat Thursday, also known as Tłusty Czwartek in Polish, is a Christian feast day celebrated on the Thursday immediately preceding , marking the culmination of the season and the final opportunity for indulgence before the Lenten fast. This tradition, deeply rooted in Catholic customs, encourages the consumption of rich, fatty foods such as doughnuts and pastries to use up ingredients like , eggs, and sugar that are traditionally abstained from during . The Polish observance, known as Tłusty Czwartek, developed its distinctive form in the , evolving from earlier practices aimed at warding off winter and ensuring good fortune, with historical accounts from the describing the preparation of light, fluffy filled with . In , where the observance is most prominent, an estimated 100 million are consumed annually as of recent estimates, averaging about 2.5 per person, often accompanied by faworki ( pastries) and believed to bring luck if eaten in abundance—refusing them is thought to invite misfortune like barren fields. The holiday extends beyond to other European countries under various names, such as Weiberfastnacht in (featuring parades and pretzels), in (a meat-heavy feast), and Giovedì Grasso in (with buffets and masked events), each adapting the core theme of pre-Lent feasting to local cuisines and customs. In Polish-American communities, the tradition has been adapted as Pączki Day, often shifted to for alignment with broader celebrations, highlighting its enduring cultural diaspora.

Overview

Definition and Timing

Fat Thursday is a Christian feast day celebrated on the Thursday immediately preceding , positioned 52 days before Sunday and serving as the culmination of , the pre-Lenten period of feasting and merriment. This observance marks the final opportunity for indulgence in rich foods before the onset of , a 40-day season of and in the Christian liturgical calendar. As a movable feast, Fat Thursday's date shifts annually in alignment with Easter, which is calculated as the first Sunday after the first following the spring equinox, resulting in occurrences typically between late and early . In the Western Christian tradition, which employs the , the day fell on February 8, 2024, February 27, 2025, and is scheduled for February 12, 2026. Eastern Orthodox Christians, adhering to the , experience a later equivalent observance due to calendar discrepancies, such as March 7, 2024 for in , reflecting the divergence in dating. The term "Fat Thursday" originates from the German "Fetter Donnerstag," literally meaning "Fat Thursday," which alludes to of consuming fatty and indulgent foods to deplete household larders ahead of Lenten restrictions. This underscores the day's emphasis on culinary excess as a counterpoint to the impending austerity of the fast.

Religious and Cultural Significance

Fat Thursday holds profound theological significance in Catholic tradition as the final opportunity for indulgence before the penitential season of , a 40-day period of and abstinence from meat, dairy, and fats that commemorates Christ's time in the . This practice aligns with the Church's emphasis on preparation through feasting and confession, contrasting the revelry of with the sobriety of to foster spiritual reflection and atonement. In some Protestant denominations, analogous pre-Lent customs occur, though they typically center on rather than Thursday, underscoring a shared Christian heritage of seasonal transition. Culturally, Fat Thursday symbolizes excess preceding restraint, encouraging social gatherings that mark the end of winter and the approach of spring, while reinforcing communal bonds through shared festivities. Its roots trace to ancient pagan winter festivals, such as the Roman , which adapted by integrating elements of inversion and merriment to align with the pre-Lent calendar, transforming secular revelry into a framework for Christian preparation. This adaptation highlights Carnival's role in bridging seasonal and spiritual cycles, where feasting not only depletes forbidden foods but also embodies joy before sacrifice. Observance of Fat Thursday varies between strict religious contexts, where it emphasizes theological preparation and moderated , and modern secular celebrations that prioritize fun and without deep liturgical ties. In predominantly Catholic regions like and , it retains a blend of and festivity, while in less religious societies, it evolves into a cultural event focused on communal eating and . The holiday significantly impacts European by strengthening community ties and preserving , as collective participation in its rituals—such as processions and shared meals—fosters a of belonging and continuity across generations. In societies with strong Catholic heritage, it reinforces narratives of resilience and seasonal renewal, embedding moral lessons of balance between and into everyday heritage.

History

Origins in Christian Tradition

The practice of pre-Lent feasting, which forms the basis of Fat Thursday, emerged in the early during the 4th and 5th centuries as part of the gradual development of the Lenten fast, drawing on the of pagan festivals such as the Roman to create a period of indulgence before the penitential season of Quadragesima. During this time, the Church adapted elements of revelry and communal eating from —a midwinter Roman festival honoring the god Saturn with feasting and role reversals—to mark the transition to the 40-day fast, emphasizing the "fattening" of the body in anticipation of Lenten abstinence. This adaptation helped integrate with existing cultural practices, transforming pagan excess into a preparatory rite for spiritual discipline. The theological foundation for this counterpoint of feasting rested on biblical precedents, particularly ' 40-day fast in the wilderness as described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which served as the model for 's duration and intensity. Early interpreted this event as a call to emulate Christ's preparation through , with pre- celebrations providing a final opportunity to consume rich foods like and before the strict prohibitions of Quadragesima, which echoed the tradition of 40 days on . By the , monastic texts began reflecting these customs, noting the prevalence of dairy consumption during early in regions like , indirectly highlighting the feasting that preceded it to clear perishable goods. Key ecclesiastical regulations appeared in councils during the early , convened under to restore discipline, which issued canons addressing clerical conduct and liturgical observances. These measures aimed to balance with preparation, ensuring that feasting did not undermine the spiritual intent of the upcoming fast. The spread of these practices across medieval was advanced through efforts in Christianizing Germanic tribes, which incorporated local customs into the liturgical calendar, blending indigenous feasting rites with Christian penitential cycles.

Development in Europe

By the , Fat Thursday had become integrated into the broader cycles across medieval , serving as a key day for communal feasting to consume rich foods before the Lenten fast. This period saw the tradition evolve from earlier Christian practices into a widespread folk celebration, with early records in associating observances—including elements of Fat Thursday—with tossing and communal meals to use up dairy and fats. In , known as Jeudi Gras or "Fat Thursday," it featured similar indulgences, documented in medieval chronicles as part of pre-Lenten revelry in regions like and . During the , Fat Thursday celebrations elaborated into elaborate courtly feasts, particularly in and , where inspired theatrical and gastronomic displays that blurred the lines between sacred and profane. In Italian city-states like and , ducal courts hosted masked banquets with intricate pastries and performances, as seen in the 1561 Farnese feast, which combined opulent sweets with allegorical pageantry to affirm princely power. German courts similarly elevated the day through Fastnachtsspiele, secular plays performed on or around Fat Thursday, while the advent of printing disseminated recipe books—such as Bartolomeo Platina's 1474 De honesta voluptate et valetudine—promoting refined pastry preparations influenced by classical texts. The profoundly shaped Fat Thursday's trajectory, with retention in Catholic strongholds like and but adaptation or suppression in Protestant regions. In Lutheran areas of , 16th-century reformers like critiqued excesses as idolatrous, leading to toned-down observances that emphasized moral reflection over feasting by the mid-1500s, though some folk elements persisted underground. Catholic efforts, conversely, reframed the day to reinforce doctrinal loyalty through controlled festivities. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Fat Thursday experienced a decline amid industrialization and , as factory work schedules disrupted traditional communal gatherings and diminished religious imperatives. Rural-to-urban migration fragmented family-based feasting, particularly in industrial hubs like the , where scaled back from multi-day events to localized parades by the late 1800s. A revival emerged through 19th-century movements, exemplified by the Brothers Grimm's collection of German tales in Kinder- und Hausmärchen (1812–1857), which preserved carnivalesque motifs of inversion and abundance, inspiring cultural nationalists to document and reinvigorate pre-Lenten customs.

General Traditions

Culinary Customs

Fat Thursday, known in various European Christian traditions as a prelude to , involves the widespread custom of consuming rich, fatty foods to exhaust household supplies of perishable ingredients such as fats, eggs, and , which would otherwise spoil or be forbidden during the 40-day period. This practice originated in as a practical response to Lenten restrictions on animal products and luxuries, ensuring nothing went to waste before the solemn season of abstinence. Central to these customs are foods like doughnuts, pancakes, and , which are prepared using abundant , , and to symbolize and excess. These items are typically deep-fried or griddled, creating indulgent treats that "fatten" participants both physically and spiritually in anticipation of , reflecting a broader theme of celebrating abundance before sacrifice. Preparations emphasize overindulgence through communal or , often in village settings historically, where families and neighbors gathered to produce large quantities of these goods. This collective effort underscored the day's , derived from the historical emphasis on and feasting as a to Lenten . Superstitions tied to the include beliefs that overindulging in these treats brings good fortune and wards off bad luck for the coming year.

Festive Activities

Fat Thursday celebrations feature parades and processions characterized by masked revelry, elaborate floats, and lively street parties, reflecting the exuberant spirit of . These events trace their roots to medieval , where craft guilds organized public spectacles to mark the pre-Lenten period, allowing participants to temporarily invert social norms through disguise and performance. Games and rituals form a key part of the festivities, often aimed at symbolically banishing winter and its hardships. These activities, accompanied by noisemakers like and bells, serve to drive away spirits associated with the season. and infuse the gatherings with energy, featuring folk tunes played on traditional instruments and communal that builds among revelers. These performances not only entertain but also ritually counter the impending restraint of , fostering a sense of joy and defiance against seasonal austerity. Superstitions tied to Fat Thursday emphasize and good fortune, with beliefs that full participation in the merriment wards off misfortune and ensures a fruitful year ahead.

Regional Variations

In , Fat Thursday, known as Tłusty Czwartek, is a widely observed traditional day on the last Thursday before , deeply embedded in Catholic tradition as a day of to use up rich foods ahead of the fasting period. Bakeries and shops across the country sell thousands of —deep-fried doughnuts typically filled with rose jam or wild rose preserve—and faworki, also called , which are crispy, twisted pastries dusted with powdered sugar. This observance reflects a collective emphasis on feasting, with modern annual sales exceeding 100 million , averaging more than 2.5 per person based on a 2017 survey. The tradition has strong Catholic roots dating to the , when it served as preparation for Lenten abstinence, but it peaked in the through vibrant folk customs such as the parties in , where women participated in lively gatherings until 1846. themselves trace back to the as simpler "kreple" fried in , evolving by the into the fluffy, yeast-leavened treats known today, often tied to pre-Lenten balls and processions that symbolized the carnival's exuberance. These customs underscore Poland's blend of religious observance and communal joy, with historical rituals like costumed "Walking with a Goat" processions beginning on Fat Thursday and continuing through the week. Celebrations today include long queues at renowned bakeries, such as Michałek in , and street markets offering fresh pastries, evoking the festive atmosphere of historical events. A key superstition holds that eating at least one pączek brings good fortune for the year, while consuming three is believed by some to ward off all bad luck, reinforcing the day's role in ensuring prosperity.

Germany

In Germany, Fat Thursday is referred to as Fetter Donnerstag or Weiberfastnacht (Women's Carnival Thursday), serving as the official kickoff to the exuberant street celebrations of Karneval in the or Fastnacht in southwestern regions like . These terms highlight its role as the last opportunity for indulgence before the Lenten fast, with festivities intensifying in Catholic strongholds such as , where the day begins at precisely 11:11 a.m. with costumed revelers flooding the streets. Unlike more subdued observances elsewhere, traditions emphasize organized urban carnivals, blending satire, music, and community processions that foreshadow the larger parades on the following Monday. Central customs revolve around feasting on rich foods, particularly Krapfen or Berliner—yeast doughnuts filled with jam, fried in fat, and coated in sugar or —to symbolize excess before the austerity of . In Cologne, women take center stage during Weiberfastnacht, playfully cutting men's ties as a symbol of inverting social norms and storming city halls in a of . Guild processions, led by Narrenzünfte (fools' guilds), feature elaborate floats with satirical commentary on politics, society, and current events, often accompanied by brass bands and the throwing of candies (Kamelle) to spectators. These events culminate in alcohol-fueled parties in pubs and squares, marking a stark contrast to the sobriety of the impending 40-day Lenten period. The traditions trace back to medieval influences, where craft guilds organized communal dances, , and meat-heavy meals to ritually expel winter and through disguises as devils or wild figures, as promoted by the Church to dramatize the transition to . A 19th-century revival, inspired by and bourgeois ideals, transformed these rural roots into structured urban spectacles; Cologne's inaugural parade in established the modern model, emphasizing satire and inclusivity. Observance varies regionally, thriving vibrantly in the Catholic south and west—where guild-led events draw massive crowds—while remaining more restrained or recently adopted in the Protestant north, reflecting historical religious divides.

France

In France, Fat Thursday is known as Jeudi Gras, marking the start of the "jours gras" or fat days—a series of festive pre-Lenten celebrations that culminate in and emphasize indulgence in rich foods before the austerity of . This day serves as a precursor to the more prominent Fat Tuesday, initiating festivities across the country with feasting to consume perishable fats, eggs, and dairy. Culinary customs on Jeudi Gras focus on fried pastries and pancakes, symbolizing abundance before ; traditional treats include merveilles, thin, crispy dough fritters dusted with sugar, which represent "wonders" or miracles in the lead-up to . In regions like , the emphasis is on beignets—light, sugar-coated doughnuts—and crêpes, thin pancakes flipped for luck, prepared to use up household stocks of and eggs. These foods tie into broader sequences, where Jeudi Gras sets a lighter, preparatory tone compared to the excesses of subsequent days. Festive activities often involve dressing in costumes and throwing , allowing for social inversion and merriment in a more subdued manner than later Carnival peaks. These practices trace back to 18th-century courtly origins under , whose Versailles entertainments featured masked balls and elaborate disguises that influenced public celebrations, blending aristocratic spectacle with popular revelry. Regional variations are pronounced in Alsace-Lorraine, where Germanic influences shape Jeudi Gras as part of Fasnacht—a dialect term for —featuring boisterous parades, traditional brass bands, and hearty pastries akin to German Fastnachtsgebäck, reflecting the area's bilingual heritage. In contemporary , Jeudi Gras integrates into the wider framework, with observances less emphasized than but still evident in local markets offering seasonal treats and community events, often overshadowed by national spectacles like the Nice Carnival.

Italy

In Italy, Fat Thursday, known as Giovedì Grasso, marks a pivotal day within the broader Carnevale celebrations, serving as the onset of the "Settimana Grassa" or Fat Week, a period of indulgent feasting before the austerity of . This day emphasizes rich, fatty foods as a final act of excess, with traditional dishes like frittelle—soft, balls often filled with raisins, , or —and chiacchiere, thin strips of dusted with , prominently featured in cities such as and . Frittelle trace their origins to ancient Roman culinary practices but became emblematic of Carnevale revelry, symbolizing abundance in northern Italian traditions. In , chiacchiere, sometimes called "chitchat" for their light, gossamer texture, are a quintessential treat sold by street vendors during festivities, underscoring the day's focus on sweet, oil-rich pastries. Customs on Giovedì Grasso revolve around theatrical and masked festivities, particularly in northern urban centers, where Carnevale draws from the improvisational style of —stock characters like (Arlecchino) and perform satirical skits that mock societal figures. In , the day commemorates a 12th-century military victory under Doge Vitale Michiel II, traditionally featuring public ceremonies that evolved into elaborate masked balls, allowing participants to don disguises for anonymous revelry. These balls, hosted in historic palaces, blend Renaissance-era opulence with harlequin performances, where actors in exaggerated masks enact humorous inversions of daily life. By the , the actively participated in these events, lending official prestige; for instance, decrees from 1296 formalized Carnevale as a six-week public festival, integrating Giovedì Grasso into state-sanctioned spectacles that included processions and theatrical troupes. Regional variations highlight Italy's diverse Carnevale expressions, with northern areas like and favoring urban, theatrical spectacles—grand masked parades and balls that attract international crowds—contrasted against southern rural feasts emphasizing communal, folkloristic gatherings. In southern regions such as Puglia and , Giovedì Grasso involves simpler, community-driven meals and processions with handmade floats, focusing on local sweets and dances rather than elaborate masks, reflecting agrarian roots over aristocratic pomp. This north-south divide underscores Carnevale's adaptability, from 's Renaissance-influenced pageantry to the more intimate, harvest-like feasts in the south. The symbolism of Giovedì Grasso lies in the temporary inversion of social norms through costumes and , enabling participants to transcend class boundaries, engage in , and release pent-up tensions in a society bound by strict hierarchies. Venetian like the bauta and moretta provided for such transgressions, parodying authorities and fostering equality during the festivities, a practice tolerated as a prelude to Lenten solemnity and . This ritualistic excess prepares revelers spiritually and socially for the reflective period of Quaresima, transforming Giovedì Grasso into a bridge between freedom and penitential restraint.

Other European Countries

In , Fat Thursday is known as (Smoky Thursday), occurring during Kreatini (Meat) Week, the penultimate week before in the Orthodox calendar, where grilled meats are consumed in abundance to mark the end of permitted meat indulgences. Families and communities prepare feasts featuring barbecued meats and sweets like loukoumades, balls drizzled with and sprinkled with seeds, symbolizing a blend of ancient Orthodox fasting rituals with local culinary heritage. In the , Fat Thursday, known as Vette Donderdag, precedes the more prominent Vastenavond celebrations in regions like Limburg, where small, fluffy —-leavened pancakes dusted with —are enjoyed alongside parades and festive gatherings influenced by neighboring Belgian customs. These events emphasize communal feasting and costumed processions, reflecting the country's Catholic roots in the southern provinces. Slovenia observes Fat Thursday as Mastni Četrtek, initiating the period with the preparation and sharing of , a rolled pastry filled with walnuts, poppy seeds, or other nuts, often accompanied by masquerades that draw on Alpine traditions of and revelry to ward off winter spirits. Masked groups, such as the Butalci in Cerknica, take over local governance symbolically, blending Christian pre-Lent observances with pre-Christian elements of inversion and . In , Fat Thursday is celebrated as Jueves de Comida or Jueves Lardero in various autonomous communities, particularly in the north and center, with meals centered on pork products like chorizo and lard-wrapped foods, complemented by torrijas—slices of bread soaked in milk or wine, fried, and coated in sugar or honey—as a sweet prelude to dances and gatherings that vary regionally, from Aragonese feasts to Andalusian processions. Across these countries, Fat Thursday traditions adapt Christian pre-Lent feasts to incorporate local pagan elements, such as symbols in masquerades and winter-expulsion rituals, though observance is declining in increasingly secular urban areas due to modernization and reduced religious participation.

Modern Observance

Contemporary Celebrations

Following the end of and particularly after the fall of in , Fat Thursday experienced a notable revival in , fueled by increased media coverage and that highlighted traditional customs to both domestic and international audiences. This resurgence transformed the observance from a primarily local ritual into a national phenomenon, with commercial promotions playing a key role; since the , supermarkets have introduced dedicated "pączki days" featuring discounted traditional doughnuts, making the celebration more accessible and widespread. In modern times, the focus has shifted toward secular enjoyment over strict religious observance, emphasizing communal fun and indulgence before . Events incorporating Fat Thursday customs are common in schools, universities, and offices, where groups organize tastings or baking activities to foster social bonds, often detached from their original Catholic context. Environmental concerns have also arisen amid the tradition's scale, including the disposal of oils and food from surplus production, prompting discussions on sustainable practices such as used oils or reducing over-preparation by bakeries. In 2025, reports of large-scale donut behind shops sparked public , highlighting ongoing issues with excess production. Digital media and social platforms have further amplified contemporary celebrations across , with viral recipes for homemade and faworki gaining traction through shared photos of elaborate spreads, enhancing visibility beyond . Television coverage, including specials on European networks, often showcases the day's festivities, blending cultural reporting with culinary demonstrations. Participation remains exceptionally high in , where a 2017 survey indicated consumption of over 100 million —equating to more than 2.5 per person—and expectations for 2025 aligned with this figure, reflecting near-universal awareness and engagement; in contrast, observance has faded in many Protestant-majority countries like parts of and the , where traditions prioritize different days and hold less culinary emphasis.

Global and Commercial Aspects

The observance of Fat Thursday has extended beyond its European origins through migration, particularly among Polish and German diasporas, fostering community events that adapt the tradition to new contexts. In the United States, Polish-American communities celebrate "Pączki Day" on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, a shift from the original Thursday to align with broader Shrove Tuesday customs, where gatherings at cultural centers feature traditional pączki doughnuts filled with fruit preserves. For instance, the American Polish Cultural Center in Michigan hosts annual events encouraging walk-ins to indulge in these treats, preserving the festive spirit of excess before Lent. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the Polish diaspora organizes receptions and social gatherings, as seen in events hosted by the Polish Embassy in London, where attendees enjoy pączki and faworki pastries to mark the day. Among Pennsylvania Dutch communities, descendants of German immigrants maintain Fastnacht Day traditions through local societies and clubs, such as the Reading Liederkranz German Singing & Sports Society, which holds Fasching celebrations featuring homemade fastnacht doughnuts—dense, potato-based pastries symbolizing the use of lard before fasting. These diaspora practices not only sustain culinary customs but also strengthen ethnic identities in multicultural settings. Commercialization has amplified Fat Thursday's global reach, transforming it into a significant economic driver, especially in , where bakeries and chains experience a surge in sales of traditional sweets. Poles consume over 100 million annually on this day, averaging more than 2.5 per person according to a survey, contributing an estimated 250 million Polish zlotys (approximately €58 million) to the as of 2021 through production and related purchases. In the United States, Polish bakeries in Midwest cities like and report lines forming for , with some chains adapting by offering filled specials, though major brands like indirectly benefit from the heightened demand for similar items during the pre-Lenten period. This commercial boom extends the tradition's visibility, with marketing campaigns emphasizing indulgence, yet it often prioritizes mass-produced versions over artisanal recipes. In multicultural cities outside , Fat Thursday has evolved into secular "donut days," detached from religious observance and embraced by diverse populations as a fun excuse for treats. In , Polish communities and local bakeries promote sales as a cultural highlight, drawing non-Polish residents to events that blend the tradition with Canadian . Similarly, in Perth, Australian Polish establishments such as Chopin Patisserie host promotions for tłusty czwartek specialties, framing the day as a universal celebration of doughnuts in a city known for its immigrant festivals. These adaptations highlight the holiday's flexibility, turning it into an inclusive, event focused on communal enjoyment rather than Lenten preparation. Despite its global spread, Fat Thursday faces challenges of cultural dilution, where commercial pressures and date shifts in diasporas risk eroding authentic practices, contrasted by preservation efforts through recognized intangible heritage initiatives. In regions like the areas, community clubs and family recipes help maintain traditional fastnacht preparation, countering homogenization by supermarkets. On a broader scale, related customs, such as the Bellringers of Patsch procession in —which occurs on Fat Thursday and features masked performers ringing bells to ward off winter—are documented in the Austrian National Inventory of under auspices, underscoring efforts to safeguard pre-Lenten rituals against modernization. These initiatives emphasize education and community involvement to balance with cultural integrity.

References

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  22. https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2021/02/22/modernity-medievalism-and-the-reckless-spirit-of-carnival/
  23. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1431363
  24. https://hal.science/hal-04005334/document
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  27. https://lauramorelli.com/venetian-carnival-masks-a-brief-history/
  28. https://craftsmanship.net/the-high-art-of-the-mask/
  29. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347412446_Venice_Carnival_from_the_Middle_Ages_to_the_Twenty-_First_Century
  30. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/48868/6-carnival-traditions-around-world
  31. https://www.dw.com/en/carnival-a-2000-year-old-tradition/a-63707828
  32. http://www.amazing-holland.nl/assets/carnaval_english.pdf
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  34. https://kuryerpolski.us/en/Page/View/tlusty-czwartek
  35. https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/02/14/inflation-eats-into-poles-doughnuts-ahead-of-fat-thursday/
  36. https://nikidw.edu.pl/en/od-nowego-roku-po-popielec-dawne-zwyczaje-ludowe/
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  40. https://www.iamexpat.de/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/definitive-guide-carnival-germany
  41. https://www.germanmarylanders.org/holidays-traditions/fasching
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  43. https://virtuelles-fastnachtsmuseum.de/themenbereiche/urspruenge-und-entwicklung/?lang=en
  44. https://virtuelles-fastnachtsmuseum.de/themenbereiche/formen-und-verbreitung/?lang=en
  45. https://wordhistories.net/2017/12/20/shrovetide-jours-gras/
  46. https://frenchmoments.eu/mardi-gras-in-france-le-carnaval/
  47. https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/mardi-gras-12-traditional-carnival-sweet-treats-to-try-in-france/188449
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  51. https://www.greekpod101.com/blog/2019/02/14/fat-thursday/
  52. https://www.tasteatlas.com/poffertjes
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  54. https://www.tasteatlas.com/potica
  55. https://mysliceofmexico.ca/2019/03/03/torrejas-a-sweet-indulgence-for-carnival/
  56. https://www.thenotsoinnocentsabroad.com/blog/what-are-torrijas-spains-easter-dessert-that-puts-french-toast-to-shame
  57. https://www.academia.edu/127309502/_chapter_Is_Carnival_a_Pagan_Festival
  58. https://architexturez.net/pst/az-cf-190722-1548993720
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  60. https://www.kozminski.edu.pl/en/events/welcome-fat-thursday
  61. https://tvpworld.com/85396683/a-mountain-of-discarded-fat-thursday-donuts-dumped-behind-shops-sparks-outrage-
  62. https://www.nationalworld.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink/fat-thursday-2024-what-is-tlusty-czwartek-poland-paczki-donut-polish-faworki-meaning-4510181
  63. https://www.facebook.com/cgtneuropeofficial/videos/fat-thursday/488590085147860/
  64. https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7789/artykul/3490010,poles-set-to-eat-100-million-doughnuts-on-thursday
  65. https://virtuelles-fastnachtsmuseum.de/themenbereiche/datum-und-termine/?lang=en
  66. https://today.rtl.lu/life/food/a/1671054.html
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