Other events in Baltic States

A traditional Kaziukas Fair will take place in Lithuanian capital Vilnius on the first week-end of March – from Friday March 4 till Sunday March 6, as Vilnius Tourism Information Board reports.

The Kaziukas Fair, which originated from the day of St. Casimir, the guardian of Lithuania, has been in existence for over 400 years. This is the largest occasion for traditional craftsmen to present their work to visitors. It is also a celebration which embraces all areas of the Old Town, writes LETA.

Each year on the first days of March, Vilnius Old Town streets are flooded with the uproar of 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 neighboring countries. In addition to the traditional accents of the fair, the "Kaziukas Fair" offers the works of socially vulnerable persons, foster home beneficiaries. The fair not only boasts with items for sale, but also with events.

The festival of St. Casimir the patron saint of Lithuanian was born in the 17th century to whom this fair was dedicated to in the 19th century. It is one other most remarkable calendar festivals with deep traditions, each time presenting ingenious handworks, and having no rivals in the surrounding areas. The fair attracts several hundred thousands of visitors. The second day of the fair will feature 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 the Vilnius streets will be special because it manifests the unity of artists, and their determination to strive for common goals under the same flag.

On March 4, a ceremonial opening of the Kaziukas Fair near the National Drama Theatre will take place.

From 13.00 till 17.00 amateur art groups will show their performances.

In the evening, a fair cinema presents a documentary and animated film "Dancing palms of Vilnius" at 17.00, and at 18.00 – a documentary film "Kaziukas Fair 2010".

In the Independence Square from 12.00 till 19.00 activities of Vilnius regional community "A bear came" will be exhibited, including puppet theatre shows, a flour grinding with hand millstones, ship shaping, burning tar from birch bark, nesting-boxes' hammering, untraditional cooking of pancakes.

From 14.00 till 18.00 performances of amateur art groups will take place.

At Lukiskes Square from 11.00 till 16.00 installation works of an alternative Kaziukas Fair by young people will be exhibited. The opening ceremony of an alternative Kaziukas Fair by young people will be held from 16.00 till 18.00.

On March 5, Saturday, from 11.00 till 12.30 Theatrical Kaziukas Fair carnival procession will march from Independence square to Town Hall square.

At the Town Hall Square at 9.30 a documentary and animated film "Dancing palms of Vilnius" and a documentary "Kaziukas Fair 2010" will be presented. From 11.00 till 18.00 performances of amateur art groups will take place.

In the evening, at 18.00, Little Witch theatre performance "Bezdukas on the lake" will be held.

In the Independence Square from 12.00 till 19.00 activities of Vilnius regional community "A bear came" will be exhibited. From 13.00 till 18.00 performances of amateur art groups will take place.

At an alternative Kaziukas Fair at Lukiskes Square from 13.00 till 18.00 DJs will play their sets.

From 14.00 till 16.00 performances of Mimes theatre and a theatre group "Sixth Sense" will take place. From 15.00 till 16.00 interactive games for families take place. From 16.00 till 17.00 fashion shows will be held.

At 16.00 till 18.00 graffiti drawing contest "not on the wall" – on canvas – will take place, followed by art strikes, fakirs' show, and a concert of alternative youth bands.

On March 6 – Sunday – at the Town Hall Square from 10.00 till 15.00 amateur art groups will perform, at 15.00 the Kaziukas Fair will officially close.

At the Independence Square from 12.00 till 19.00 activities of Vilnius regional community "A bear came" will take place with puppet shows, a flour grinding with hand millstones, ship shaping, burning tar from birch bark, nesting-boxes' hammering, and untraditional cooking of pancakes. From 10.00 till 13.20 amateur art groups will perform.

At Lukiskes Square youth-oriented events include non-commercial movies review at 12.00 – 13.00, DJ performances and tournament of old computer games at 12.00 – 14.00, improvisation theatre performance at 13.30 – 14.30, interactive outdoor games, an exhibition of works created during event and the auction at 14.00 – 16.00, and non-commercial movies review and the final concert at 15.00 – 16.00.