Kaziuko mugė

Kaziuko mugė, or Saint Casimir's Fair, is a cherished annual folk arts and crafts event held in Vilnius, Lithuania. Its origins date back to the 17th century, and it takes place on the Sunday closest to March 4 to commemorate the anniversary of Saint Casimir’s death. Over time, the fair has grown to include not only arts and crafts but also music, dance, and theater performances, drawing thousands of visitors and artisans from Lithuania and neighboring countries such as Latvia, Russia, and Poland. Recently, the fair has even expanded to other cities in Lithuania, Belarus, and Poland.

The fair traces its roots to the canonization of St. Casimir, the son of King Casimir IV of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, in 1602. Merchants originally established the fair as part of his feast day celebrations. Throughout its history, the fair has changed locations several times, moving from Cathedral Square to Lukiškės Square and then to Kalvarijos Market during the Soviet era. Since 1991, it has returned to the charming streets of Vilnius Old Town.

At the fair, you'll find a wide array of handmade items from local artisans, including clothing, footwear, toys, utensils, jewelry, and paintings. Traditional foods such as rye bread, gingerbread, honey, and beer are also abundant. One of the fair’s unique highlights is the Easter palms known as "verbos" crafted from colorful dried flowers and herbs. Another favorite is Casimir's Heart, a heart-shaped gingerbread cookie adorned with intricate sugar patterns and figures.

Kaziuko mugė has come to symbolize the arrival of spring and Easter traditions in Lithuania. However, some traditional crafts, like making verbos, face challenges due to difficulties in sourcing materials and concerns about potential allergic reactions. Despite these hurdles, the fair remains a vibrant and beloved celebration of Lithuanian culture and craftsmanship, captivating both locals and tourists alike.