American Fears and Polish Joys: American Soldiers and Żagań’s Children Celebrate Halloween in Poland | Essay




A U.S. soldier, stationed in Żagań, Poland, leans down to take a bite from a hanging apple during a Halloween game at Elementary School No. 5 on Oct. 30, 2024 in Żagań, Poland. Creating an interactive setting for language practice and cultural exchange between students and soldiers from a local military unit, while exposing students to American Halloween traditions. Zagan is one of 11 locations where the US Army Garrison has an installation in Poland. (U.S. Army photo by Brian Araujo
(Photo credit: Brian Araujo)

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ZAGAN, Poland — Zagan’s School No. Transformed into a haunted haven of 5 Halloween festivities, Poland on October 30, 2024 is filled with spooky costumes, games and cultural exchanges. Welcomed five US Army soldiers stationed in Poland for fun.

Organized by the school’s English teachers and supported by US Army Garrison Poland, the event gave students a look at American Halloween traditions, combining learning with fun.

“We invited the American soldiers because they are away from home, and we wanted them to feel like they are back in America,” said Anna Chamko, an English teacher at Primary School No. 5.


American Fears and Polish Joys: American soldiers and Żagań children celebrate Halloween in Poland








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A Polish student wraps a US soldier in a toilet paper mummy during a Halloween celebration at Primary School No. 5 in Poland on October 30, 2024. The event, hosted by the school’s English teachers, invited soldiers to join students in Halloween-themed activities, with the goal of promoting cultural exchange and providing an immersive English language learning experience. Zagan is one of 11 locations where a U.S. Army Garrison is located in Poland (U.S. Army photo by Brian Araujo)
(Photo credit: Brian Araujo)

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American Fears and Polish Joys: American soldiers and Żagań children celebrate Halloween in Poland








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U.S. soldiers, stationed in Żagań, Poland, try to bite through an apple hanging from their hands during a Halloween game at Primary School No. 5 on Oct. 30, 2024 in Żagań, Poland. The event, hosted by the school’s English teachers, gave students a chance to experience American Halloween traditions and develop language skills through festive interactions with soldiers from a local military unit. Zagan is an 11-location US Army Garrison installation in Poland. (US Army Photo by Bryan Araujo)
(Photo credit: Brian Araujo)

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U.S. soldiers stationed in Żagań, Poland enjoy coffee, tea and a Halloween theme with students at Primary School No. 5 during a Halloween celebration on October 30, 2024. The event was organized by the English teachers of the school to the soldiers. and an opportunity for students to connect with American Halloween customs, promote cultural exchange and enhance students’ English language skills in an interactive, festive environment. Żagań is one of 11 locations where the US Army Garrison Poland is located. (U.S. Army photo by Brian Araujo)
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The celebration included a Halloween-themed performance by costumed students, performing songs from American cult favorites such as Ghostbusters and The Addams Family. Soldiers took part in competitions where students wrapped them in toilet paper mummies and competed to see who could take the first bite of an apple hanging from a wire.

“We wanted to show our students an American and English tradition,” Chamko said. “It’s not that popular here in Poland.”

Soldiers also served as judges for the best-decorated pumpkin contest and participated in games combining American and local traditions. Festive treats and Halloween decorations set the stage, giving the event an authentic Halloween atmosphere.

Shamko said the event strengthens ties between the local community and the U.S. military, while allowing students to practice English in the real world with native speakers.

From School No. 5, USAG Poland and US Army Soldiers Stationed in Poland: Happy Halloween!

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