Polish drenchers out in force
on Easter Monday

as it appeared on CNN.com, 24 April 2000
Link to original article no longer active. Archive cannot be found on CNN.com Web site.

WARSAW, Poland (Reuters) — Polish youths marked Drenching Monday by hurling water at unsuspecting passers-by and tourists in an exuberant reenactment of a rural custom.

The festival, also known as St .Drencher's Day, began centuries ago as a courtship festival in Poland's villages, where boys would drench maidens to try to win their favor.

Unlike many rural customs that have disappeared over the years, "smigus-dyngus" has become increasingly popular. And buckets of water are no longer reserved for young women.

Police warned there would be fines for anyone caught abusing the custom to ambush churchgoers or passers-by. Tourists were among the victims this year in Warsaw's picturesque Old Town.



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