This year, early May was an extremely busy time for stores selling flags and for flag producers.

As it turned out, for most customers the purchase of a flag was a last-minute decision. People stood in long lines to buy flags of the European Union, Polish and even Papal flags. As if that were not enough, May 2 has been recently declared International Flag Day.

"We were unprepared for this European flag boom," said a producer of flags and banners from Wilanowska Street. "We have observed a sort of euphoria," said Mr. Zawadzki, co-owner of Logo, a flag producer. "People primarily sought EU flags." "Flags of the United Europe were three times more popular than those of Poland," said another seller in Warsaw. "Everybody, including the grandest and most important institutions in our country, bought at the last moment," said the manager of a shop with flags and propaganda materials on Okopowa Street. There were quite a few VIPs standing in line, including representatives of city administrations, communes, ministries, schools, companies and churches. "It was really hard to figure out who was the most important," the manager said with a smile. One office went as far as to fax an order to her home phone number on the night of April 25. "But the same happens each year, every May." "We took orders from all across Poland," said the seller from Wilanowska Street, who sews standards for Warsaw.

Flags are mainly made of polyester. The producer from Wilanowska Street explains that stars can only be sewn onto flags of an appropriate size. There are no problems with the Polish, white-and-red flag, but it takes more effort with the American and European flags. It took Zofia Rutkowska, who made the most important EU flag which fluttered May 1 above Piłsudskiego Square, four hours to sew.

Most EU flags featured printed stars. At the customers' request, stars could be sewn onto the flags, which increased the price only slightly. The manager from Okopowa Street said: "We sell flags made with all techniques. A standard-sized flag with patches instead of printed stars costs zl.100-200."

"Flags that can be hung on typical, wooden staffs are very popular," said Zawadzki from Logo. In all outlets, flags of traditional sizes, 70 by 110 and 100 by 160 centimeters, sold best. Large companies and institutions preferred sizes for posts: 125 by 200 and 150 by 250 centimeters. According to Zawadzki, it was the ambition of most companies to hoist three flags: the company's own and those of the EU and Poland. He was surprised by the number of individual customers. Most people simply felt it was imperative to hang the European flag on the day of Poland's accession to the EU.

"At the end of April, we were already short of everything," said the manager of the store on Okopowa Street. People not only bought EU and Polish flags, but those of other EU countries-France, Austria, Italy and Germany-and of the countries which joined the EU with Poland. "At the same time, we sold Marian and Papal flags as well," she said. "The worst thing is that although our store is open all year, everyone wanted to buy a flag at once, literally one minute prior to the actual event. Normally, customers could be served in comfort and peace. What I would like to know is why none of the important institutions was able to handle the flag issue in advance."

At the beginning of May, which is already past the EU accession day, Labor Day (May 1) and Constitution Day (May 3), there are still lines in front of shops with flags.

Stores with flags:
25 Okopowa St., tel. 632-10-59
6 Polnej Róży St., tel. 648-30-67
83 Filtrowa St., tel. 822-24-32
Logo, 266 Modlińska St., tel. 819-08-48

Retail prices of flags:
70 by 110 cm: zl.19 (Poland) and 32 (EU)
100 by 160 cm: zl.38 and 56
125 by 200 cm: zl.66 and 96

The creators of the EU flag are Spanish diplomat Salvador de Madariaga y Royo and French artist Arsene Heitz. The flag design was approved Dec. 8, 1955. It was commissioned by the Council of Europe.