Held in Vilnius annually in early March, the Kaziukas folk arts and crafts fair dates back to the early 17th century. The fair occupies a large part of the city center, from Gediminas Avenue, Cathedral Square, Pilies Street, all the way to the Orthodox Cathedral and almost to the borders of the Uzupis neighborhood. Whoever you turn you’ll find stalls, pavilions, and processions!
Perfect for lovers of handmade souvenirs, the arts and crafts on display at the fair includes knitted clothes, baskets, wooden toys, metalwork, pottery, wooden sculptures and paintings, much of which is pictured here below. Eat your fill of traditional foods, from riestainis, best described as a less chewy cousin of the bagel to soups, stews, pork carved from a whole pig cooked on a spit and other grilled meats. If you have a sweet tooth then you’ll enjoy the honey cookies baked for the occasion.
If this sounds like something you’d like to see (and braving the chilly temperatures of Vilnius at that time of year, get in touch and we’ll incorporate it into a custom-designed tour of the Baltic capitals for you.
Photos by: Gendre Kaniusaite
Charlie is head of marketing at JayWay Travel. A long-term Prague resident, his interests are cooking, eating out, cycling, skiing and of course, travel.