about The Kaziuko Muge
In Lithuania‘s capital, the festivity of Kaziukas Fair distinguishes itself. First of all, it is a profound Lithuanian historical tradition which originates from the processions honoring Saint Prince Casimir (Kazimieras), held in the year 1604. Over time, the religious celebration was accompanied by commerce which eventually grew to be the colorful three-day Kaziukas Fair. With centuries of tradition, the displaying of original handmade products, the feasting on customary dishes, and the making of the Verba, a Palm Sunday decoration unique to Vilnius, the fair has no equal in neighboring countries. Like every year, during the first weekend of March, the streets, squares and other places of Old Town Vilnius will be flooded by Kaziukas Fair. For three days, you'll have no shortage of opportunities to feast your eyes upon the celebration, spend money, have fun, join in on traditional Lithuanian dances, and participate in other various festivities. There's no restrictions on the age, style, or genre of the cultural program at the Kaziukas Fair. Visitors’ eyes, ears, and hearts will be delighted by the children, students, and seniors performing at the concerts where the sounds of Medieval, folk, and modern music will be heard. The main tradition would be Lithuanian families coming together and buying food alongside other supplies to last them the whole year.
In times of old, it was very common to see entire villages preparing for the festival year-round. It is also quite common to see large amounts of barankos and gaideliai, two popular traditional Lithuanian foods that are made and sold plentifully at the festival. Regardless if the weather is cold, warm, sunny, rainy, cloudy, or stormy, you will always see craftsmen and artists at the festival selling their paintings, woodworks, and metal works. The most common day for festivals and dances to be held is also Saturday, by tradition, of course.
Nowadays, Kaziuko Muge is always traditionally placed in the area of Gediminas avenue, Pilies street and the Town Hall Square in Vilnius. But this tradition exists only from the 17th century, before it was placed in an another market place, “karalu turgus”. Another tradition of this fair would be, that it is always held in the very beggining of March and every year it announces the beginning of spring and the end of winter.It is also very common to hear folk music, see folk dances and performances. Kaziuko Muge every year gives the opportunity to enjoy Lithuania’s folk music. Mostly at this fair you will hear the Lithuanian calendar cycle and ritual songs. Calendar cycle songs were sung at special times of the year while performing the appropriate rituals. The songs “Shrovetide" and "Lent" are Easter swinging songs. Easter songs in the Lithuanian language are called “lalavimai”. These vocals have the power to bring happiness to a person. Among the oldest Lithuanian folk dances are ‘’sutartines’’ which are presented at the Kaziuko Fair. Their characteristic feature is the repetition of onomatopoeic words and polyphony of the text and music (simultaneous sounding of different words and melodies). The sutartine (song) is accompanied by simple movements of a dance - walking, stamping feet, gliding, changing places, coming, turning, and others. The most common figures are walking in rows, facing each other, or going in a circle. Sutartines were mostly danced by women. The name of such a sutartine would usually derive from the first line of the song or its refrain.This event attracts many citizens and city guests every year, as every year it offers many new things to hear, smell, see and feel.