Kaziuko mugė

There are not too many public celebrations in Lithuania, and even when there is something going on people don`t really tend to paint the town red and go bananas in the streets. People looking for such things would be better advised to seek out countries where there is hot sun, a poorly regulated drug market, and a more irresponsible population. Meanwhile, the rest of us can have a decent time with such things as for instance the Lithuanian Kaziukas fair.

 

Kaziuko mugė in Kaunas botanical garden

This celebration is for some reason the one that often receives the most attention from authors of travel guides, blogs and others who write about Lithuanian folklore. They usually emphasize that it is a crafts fair, where folk art plays a vital role. I myself has probably been in the wrong place at the right time, since I so far have witnessed neither when I took part in the celebrations. With the exception of singing, dancing and the ritual burning of a witch, that is.

The celebration I witnessed seemed to be more about dressing up, having a drink and a snack, and letting the children play irresponsible games on the ice. To me, the locals seemed more bored with winter than filled with a burning desire to celebrate the late St. Casimir. A significant part of the fun was for instance historical cannon (which can hardly be related to the saint), that was kept ready to fire at any moment. It also eventually did, when everyone’s attention was directed elsewhere, and by use of unnecessarily loud blanks, they succeeded in scaring both the children and many of the adult spectators.

But the came elderly ladies dressed as medical personnel and distributed moonshine from medicine bottles, and all was forgotten. Everyone bought pastry of unknown origin, we burned the witch, and we all went home happy. So if you are starved for entertainment next 4^th of March – seek out the nearest Kaziukas fest. And if you are bored, just look for the elderly nurses.

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