The Kaziukas Fair has started in the capital. For several hundred years, every year it has been held on the weekend closest to March 4, St. Casimir’s Day. This year the dates of the fair are from 3 to 5 March. Kaziukas, as usual, takes place in the Old Town, the very heart of the capital.
Hundreds of craft shops lined the entire Gedimino Avenue, as well as Šventaragio, T. Vrublevskio, B. Radvilaitės, Maironio, Vokiečių and Pilies streets. This holiday always attracts thousands of visitors, because Kaziukas is both the beginning of spring and the opportunity to buy handicrafts from different parts of Lithuania. It is also an opportunity to get acquainted with the traditions of the country, because this fair has a special spirit and authenticity, since the Kaziukas Fair is not only the largest, but also the oldest event in the capital. The website of the Vilnius municipality vilnius-events.lt tells about the features of the most famous fair in the country.
For those guests of the city who visit the fair for the first time, it will be interesting to know that it is simply impossible to imagine it without:
traditional willows – the most popular souvenir of the fair
edible fairground souvenirs
handicrafts and creative works of various genres
theatrical processions
music
History of Kaziukas Fair
In the first half of the 17th century, after Prince Casimir was canonized, the construction of the Jesuit Church of St. Casimir began in Vilnius. It became the first Baroque church in the city. And from the day of the death of the saint, on March 4, they began to celebrate the Day of St. Casimir. Every year, in honor of the saint, after Mass, they began to hold a huge fair of artisans and farmers. At different times, this fair traveled around the city. It was held on the Cathedral and Lukishki squares, and even on the Kalvary market. And during the time of Independence, the fair returned to the center of Vilnius. Today’s Kaziukas stretches for many kilometers through the streets, squares and courtyards of the Old Town.
Why visit the fair
Here you can find everything, in the truest sense of the word. There are so many different vendors at the Kaziukas Fair that you can find products for every taste: from small things dear to the heart to real works of art, from traditional handicrafts from all regions of Lithuania to modern designs.
Here you can get acquainted with the traditions of the Vilnius region and all of Lithuania. It would probably be difficult to find another event that, like Kaziukas, would have preserved traditions for more than 400 years.
Here you can taste a variety of traditional Lithuanian dishes. Owners come here to bake Lithuanian bread, as well as bring homemade meat, dairy products, honey, herbs, sweets, and much, much more.
3 dishes to try at the Kaziukas Fair
Bagels, bagels and pretzels. It’s hard to imagine a fair without a lot of custard bagels and pretzels. With whole garlands, children and even adults wear them around their necks so that they can have a snack at any time. And someone brings at least a package of such gifts to those relatives who could not attend the fair.
Fair gingerbread. It has been one of the most popular delicacies of Kaziukas for a long time. Gingerbread cookies can be of various sizes and colors. And the most popular of them are hearts decorated with colored icing sugar, or even treats in the form of Gediminas’ Tower. By the way, gingerbread can be a great souvenir as a gift to loved ones.
Tatar šimtalapis (centifer). The Tatar community, living in Lithuania for hundreds of years, has preserved a number of culinary traditions. Among them is the preparation of one of the most popular sweet dishes in Lithuania, the Simtalapis pastry, which requires incredible skill. This is a roll with poppy seeds, made from the thinnest puff pastry.
Souvenirs that can be purchased at Kaziukas
Willow of the Vilnius region. Of course, this is the number one souvenir. This integral attribute of the Kaziukas fair perfectly complements the beginning of spring with its mood. Also, like bagels, colorful willows in a variety of sizes and colors are one of the most popular items bought at the fair.
Wooden souvenirs. Kaziukas fair classics are wooden spoons, spatulas and other wood products. They can always be found at Kaziukas, so the home “park” of wooden utensils can be updated at least every year.
Ceramic products. It can be an author’s unique ceramic bowl or jug, earrings or even a whistle calling for spring.
Basketry. The Kaziukas Fair is famous for its baskets and other wicker products. Here you can find baskets of all sizes, shapes and styles. By the way, they can store other purchases made at Kaziukas.
Help others. When it’s good and fun, this is an excellent occasion to remember those who are feeling bad and hard now. At the fair, you can always help those who need it. For example, this year during the days of the fair (on Sunday, at 11 am), the event “700 willows: an auction in support of Ukraine” will take place on Cathedral Square. All funds raised on it will be directed to the Mūsų širdys ir rankos Ukrainai fund, which unites the Lithuanian Red Cross, Caritas, the Order of Malta, Maisto bankas and Gelbėkit vaikus. Donated funds will go to humanitarian aid, psychosocial assistance and first aid.