Pryma Aprylis

“The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.” American writer Mark Twain

“Pryma Aprylis” also called All Fools' Day or April Fools' Day is celebrated in many countries all over the world and is traditionally a day for pranks and practical jokes.

In some countries jokes last until the noon: someone who plays a trick after the noon is called an "April Fool". Elsewhere, such as in Ireland, France, Poland and in the USA, all jokes last all day.

In Poland 'Pryma Aprylis' is popular among children and many schools allow their pupils to attend classes in costumes and fancy dresses. Although the origin of the day are uncertain.

Most of April Fool jokes are in good fun and not meant to harm anyone. The best trick is the one where everyone laughs, especially the person upon whom the joke has been played.

Today, Polish people, especially children play small tricks on friends and strangers alike on April 1st. A common trick is to point to a friends’ shoe and say ‘Your shoelace is untied.’ When they look down, they are laughed at. Schoolchildren might tell a friend that school has been cancelled. A bag of flour might be balanced on the top of a door so that when the ‘victim’ opens the door, the flour empties over her/his head. Sometimes the media gets involved.

Zuzanna Danowska kl. VI „b” Poland