Frosty December air, the sound of crackling fires, and the sudden appearance of towering, mystical figures on the streets. If you happen to travel along the Bug River border at the very end of the year, Sławatycze is a mandatory pit stop to witness one of the most unique, living folk traditions in Poland.

Brodacze (literally The Bearded Men) are local young men who dress up in massive, elaborate costumes to bid farewell to the old year during the final three days of December. They wear tall, hand-crafted hats decorated with hundreds of colorful paper flowers, long flowing beards made of flax, and clothes covered in heavy sheepskin. Encountering them roaming the village, dancing, and chasing away bad luck is like stepping right into a vibrant, centuries-old fairy tale. It’s raw, authentic, and bursting with local pride—exactly the kind of hidden cultural gem that makes winter road trips unforgettable.