Each year in the first days of March, the Vilnius Old Town streets are flooded with the uproar of the weekend of Kaziukas. It is abound with the attendance of folk artisans and craftsmen. The Kaziukas Fair attracts artists not only from the most remote Lithuanian places but also from neighbouring countries. As well as the traditional highlights of the fair, there are items made by socially supportable persons and inmates of care homes are offered for sale in the Kaziukas fair. However, the fair not only boasts with items for sale made by folk artisans, but also with events.

St. Casimir was the patron saint of Lithuania, born in the 17th century.  Kaziukas fair was dedicated to honor him in 19th century. It is one of the most remarkable calendar festivals in Vilnius with century-old traditions, each time presenting ingenious handworks, colourful, traditional palms and without any rivals in the surrounding areas. The fair attracts several hundred thousand visitors.

The second day of the fair continues a festive theatrical procession with participation, as in old times, of the most famous artisans and promoters of folk art and ancient crafts. The procession of artisans and craftsmen along  Vilnius streets will be special, because it manifests the unity of artists and their determination to strive for common goals under the same flag.

PROGRAMME OF THE FAIR

March 2nd (Friday)

At the National Drama Theatre (Gediminas Ave. 4)

12.00 a.m. Opening ceremony of Kaziukas Fair.


Vilnius Town Hall Square

1.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. Presentations of Samogitian folk artists and culinary heritage.

 
Public institution Vilnius Art Gallery for Children and Youth (Vilnius St. 39)

4.00 p.m. Opening of an exhibition of children’s drawings “A Glimpse of Samogitia”

 
The Small Hall of Vilnius Teachers' House (Vilnius St. 39)

5.00 p.m. “Literary meetings”. Event dedicated to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of a famous poet of Lithuania, Maironis. Participants – litterateurs of Raseiniai region and Vilnius


Vilnius Town Hall

5.30 p.m. Opening of an exhibition of Samogitian professional painters “Vilnius – a Gate to Samogitia”.
Exhibitions of Samogitian professional painters will be open in Arka and Saint Jones’ street galleries.

7.00 p.m.  Performance “The Kražiai massacre” by the small theatre of Kelmė.

March 3rd (Saturday)

All Saint’s Church (Rūdninkai St. 20/1)

9.30 a.m. Holly mass for the people from Samogitian region. Participants - folklore ensemble Šatrija from Luokė and Tyklė from Vilnius.

11.00 - 12.00 a.m.  Theatricalised carnival procession from Lukiškės Square to Town Hall Square.

Vilnius Town Hall Square

12.00 - 12.30 p.m. Opening of the Samogitian Days.

12.30 - 6.00 p.m. Performances by Samogitian folk artists and amateur art collectives

11.00 - 6.00 p.m.  Town Hall square. Visual displays on LED screen “Panorama of Samogitia”.


National Drama Theatre (Gediminas Ave. 4)

12.00 - 5.00 p.m. Performances by amateur art collectives.


The Small Hall of Vilnius Teachers' House (Vilnius St. 39)

12.30 p.m. Opening of the photography exhibition “Samogitian Mists”.
 

The Parlour of Vilnius Teachers' House (Vilnius St. 39)

2.00 p.m. Samogitian literature afternoon. Participants – Samogitian writers of Samogitia and Lithuania.

Saint Catherine’s Church

5.00 p.m. Concert by Samogitian art collectives from Telšiai, Mažeikiai, Rietavas, Šiauliai District

7.00 p.m. Songs of South Samogitia. Concert is given by Vilnius folklore ensemble VISI (artistic director E. Vyčinas).
 

The Big Hall of the Town Hall

6.00 p.m. Concert by Samogitian stars “We are from Samogitia”. Participants Rugilė Martinkutė, Marius Petrauskas, Loreta Sungailienė, Rasa Rapalytė, Raigardas Tautkus, Andrius Kulikauskas, Petras and Dominykas Vyšniauskai.  The concert is conducted by L. Sungailienė and St. Kavaliauskas.
 

Lukiškės square

12.00 - 4.00 p.m. “Alternative Kaziukas Fair”.
 

March 4th (Sunday)

Vilnius Town Hall Square

11.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Performances by Samogitian folk artists and amateur art collectives.

11.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m. Visual displays on LED screen “Panorama of Samogitia”.

3.00 - 4.00 p.m. Closure of Samogitian days and Kaziukas Fair
 

National Drama Theatre (Gediminas Ave. 4)

12.00 - 3.00 p.m. Performances by amatory art collectives.

 
Lukiškės Square  

11.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. “Alternative Kaziukas Fair”.

More information: www.vilnius-tourism.lt

Pictures:  A. Žygevičius, Ieva de Sousa