Kaziukas

Kaziukas - traditional Lithuanian folk crafts fair dating back to the beginning of the 17th century at two main Market places and in Vilnius city centre.

See also:

• St. Casimir
• St. Casimir's Day

As the fair was traditionally held on St. Casimir's Day on March 4, its is popularly referred to as Kaziukas Fair or Little Casimir's fair. Today it is rather more like a festival of folk art and crafts, music and dance attracting tens of thousands of people and craftsmen from all over the country.

Traditional palms (called "verbos", hence "Verbu Sekmadienis") made of colorful dried flowers and herbs which believers take to church on Palm Sunday in Vilnius district are the fair's badge.

The Vilnius palms originate from a lily with which traditionally St. Casimir is portrayed.

Another typical product of the fair is called "muginukas", a heart-shaped Honey cookie, decorated with colored sugar flowers, zig-zags, dots and birds. Popular men's and women's names are written on the cookies. People buy and give them to selected loved ones. It is a custom to bring some back for anyone who had to remain home.