Artists in Poland today are still shaking off the legacy of Communism under Stalin. During this period, Socialist Realism was the dominant style, infusing the visual arts, architecture, literature and music. Fine fiction writers like Isaac Bashevis Singer, whose evocative works capture the spirit of Jewish Poland, put Polish literature under the spotlight. Current prominent exponents of Polish culture include writers such as Ryszard Kapuscinski and composer Henryk Gorecki. Their work contributes to the formulation of a contemporary cultural identity for this fascinating country.
Polish food is hearty and filling, with thick soups and sauces, abundant in potatoes and dumplings, rich in meat but not in vegetables. Characteristic ingredients are dill, marjoram, caraway seeds and wild mushrooms; favourite dishes include bigos (sauerkraut and meat) and barszcz (beetroot soup). There are four daily meals in Poland: an early breakfast, a light snack for second breakfast, a substantial lunch taken after work, and a small supper before bed. Tea and vodka are the favoured Polish beverages, both consumed with fervour, but to somewhat differing effect.
