Lithuania's Holidays and Festivals

Story by Marina Farrell

Lithuania's festivals are a mix of ancient and medieval traditions… celebrating changes of the seasons, commemorations of historic figures, saints and, of course, the native pagan and Christian rites. New traditions are being created in Lithuania these days; musical events ranging from folklore to jazz festivals celebrate the old ways and the current times, as well as cultural events that recreate passages of Lithuania's unique history.

Blukas Holiday (December 23)

The darkest time of the year is marked with an ancient Lithuanian custom of dragging the blukas, an old tree stump that is symbolic of "the run of time, unfinished works and expectations that did not come true". They say the blukas is burned, worries of the last year come to an end and preparations for the new year are started. Masked revelers and musicians playing traditional music take part in this annual tradition.

The Three Kings Holiday (January 6)

The holiday of the kings Kasparas, Merkelis and Baltazaras is celebrated on January 6th with a procession that winds through the streets of the Old Town in Vilnius, ending up at Cathedral Square for a variety of celebratory events.

Uzgavenes (end of January)

Also known as Shrovetide, the ancient holiday Uzgavenes marks the end of winter. Participants dressed as devils, witches, goats, gypsies and other characters in colorful costumes go from house to house to feast and "create joyful noises." After midnight an effigy symbolizing winter is set on fire. The traditional meal of blynai (pancakes) is served.

St. Casimir's Day (the first weekend of March)

This holiday celebrates St. Casimir, the patron saint of Lithuania. On the first weekend of March, handicraft markets offer traditional metal works, pottery and hand carved wood crafts from all over Lithuania.

Palm Sunday (Sunday before Easter)

In the old days, juniper twigs were brought to the churches to be blessed to protect villages from sickness and evil spirits. In the capital city of Vilnius, the use of juniper twigs has been replaced by the traditional folk art of dried plants, flowers and corn ear woven together in long stalks. These stalks are sold as unique traditional folk art pieces.

Midsummer Day's Holiday (June 23/24)

Also known as Rasos, this is a holiday of ancient Pagan rites. "It was believed that on this, the shortest night of the year, plants and water acquired special powers for healing illnesses and the ability to increase the fertility of farmland. Customs associated with the feast have retained their popularity to this day." Led by songs as the sun sets, wreaths of grasses are floated down the Neris river and participants dance, sing, jump over a bonfire along the riverbank, tell fortunes and consume the native drink alus (beer). At midnight, they search for the legendary "fern blossom". As morning approaches, the celebrations come to an end, by the honoring of the rising sun.

Crowning of Mindaugas -- Day of Statehood (July 6)

In 1236, the Pope sent a crusade against the pagan Lithuanians. Mindaugas, ruler of the region, organized a defense against the crusade but ended up accepting baptism in 1251 and was crowned king on July 6, 1253. July 6th is now a national holiday, the Lithuanian day of statehood.

Vilnius City Days (mid-September)

Three days of musical and cultural events in theatres, concert halls and on the streets of the capital city, Vilnius, celebrate this now thriving city. Don't miss the Vilnius Jazz Festival either.

Other Lithuanian national holidays reflect the tumultuous history, days of independence and restoration of independence from various occupiers including Russia, the Soviets and even the Nazis:

New Year's Day & National Flag Day, January 1

Defenders of Freedom Day, January 13

Independence Day, February 16

Restoration of Lithuania's Independence, March 11

Day of Mourning and Hope, June 14

Zoline (Feast of the Assumption), August 15

Black Ribbon Day (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact), August 23

Crowning of Vytautas the Great, September 8

Constitution Day, October 25

Photos courtesy Lithuanian State Department of Tourism, Vilnius City Municipal Government