4th MARCH IS ST. CASIMIR’S

DAY IN LITHUANIA

St. Casimir is the first patron of Lithuania. He is also the patron of Vilnius province and the

young

A member of Gediminas dynasty

was born on 3rd October in 1458 in Cracow and died in 1484 in Grodno at the age of 26. He was canonized in 1522 because of his great dignity

and piety.

His remains rest in St. Casimir’s Chapel in the Vilnius Cathedral

Saint Casimir’s Chapel in the Vilnius Cathedral

Saint Casimir’s church in Vilnius

The Kaziukas Fair was started to celebrate on St. Casimir’s day (March 4, the day St. Casimir died) in

Vilnius at the beginning of the XVII century.

In 1827 the merchants got a privilege to organize a fair on that day at Vilnius Cathedral Square for three

days.

Kaziukas Fair is the annual fair in Lithuania where people sell traditional hand-made goods.

Traditional art crafts

POTS

The main attribute in the fair is the “Palm” bouquet (called Verba). It is made of colourful dried flowers

and herbs.

Kaziukas Fair also takes place in the other cities of Lithuania. Kaunas

Kaziukas Fair in Alytus

In Klaipėda

Kaziukas Fair takes place at school, too.

Students sell their hand-made goods.

St. Casimir’s day also features music and dance.

On St. Casimir’s day all the people in Lithuania amuse themselves.

Kaziukas Fair is one of the brightest calendar holidays in Lithuania