In the Soviet era, the fair had to fi t into the Kalvarija marketplace, which then was duction processes, be it blacksmithing, pottery or artistic wood carving. Near the called kolūkinė. However, the people of Vilna did not forget the old traditions. In the City Hall, a traditional ‘crafts lane’ is usually set up. Here Lithuania’s ethnic minor- days around 4 March, one could observe a remarkable revival in trade – there was a ities also share their original creative expression. Trade takes place from Lukiškės COIN DEDICATED TO KAZIUKAS’ FAIR particular increase in wood crafts. In time, the fair began to draw in young people, Square to Tymas quarter, winding its way through Pilies street up to the City Hall. particularly creative types, who would sell hand-made jewelry, postcards, ceramic The best folk- artists as well as certifi ed traditional craftsmen are assigned spots in (FROM THE SERIES ‘TRADITIONAL LITHUANIAN whistles, and fl utes. The city’s government was left nothing else but to only support Gediminas avenue. In addition to Lithuanian craftsmen and folk artists, creators CELEBRATIONS’) the cultural development of the fair. A signboard for the Kaziukas’ Fair was hung from neighbouring countries also gladly participate, spreading the word about Lithuanian over the gates of the Kalvarija marketplace, where a stage for folk performances was Kaziukas’ Fair. The number of visitors, locals and guests attending the fair is near- also built. ing almost half a million. Denomination: €5 Collector Silver Ag 925 However, Kaziukas was fully revived only in 1989, when permission was given to With the growing popularity of educational tourism in Europe, the century-old Quality: proof Coins trade and perform in Vilnius Old Town. Management of the fair’s infrastructure, tradition of Kaziukas has all the prerequisites to become a well-known and widely Diameter (mm): 28.70 by tender procedure, was handed over to businesses, whereas the cultural pro- attended event. Kaziukas’ Fair is the best way to demonstrate to the world not Weight (g): 12.44 gramme was the domain of the Vilnius Ethnic Culture Center. Now each year the only the ethnic identity and creativity of Lithuanians and Lithuania’s ethnic mi- Mintage: 2,000 pcs fair begins with a theatricalised procession, its characters echoing the city’s legends norities but also the historical traditions of the country. Issued in 2017 and history. Visitors are most drawn to demonstrations of craft technologies, pro- On the edge of the coin: symbols Prof Dr Libertas Klimka Denomination: €1.50 Copper and nickel alloy Cu/Ni Quality: unc Diameter (mm): 27.50 Weight (g): 11.10 Mintage: 25,000 pcs Issued in 2017 Edge of the coin: rimmed Coin designed by Rytas Jonas Belevičius Information at the Bank of Lithuania Phone: +370 5 268 0316 Email: [email protected] www.lb.lt The coin was minted at the UAB Lithuanian Mint www.lithuanian-mint.lt Lithuanian Collector Coins © Bank of Lithuania, 2017 Coins photographed by Arūnas Baltėnas Designed by Liudas Parulskis. COIN DEDICATED TO KAZIUKAS’ FAIR The publication uses illustrations by Liudas Parulskis, (FROM THE SERIES ‘TRADITIONAL photographs by Šarūnas Mažeika (BFL) and Audrius Bagdonas (BFL) LITHUANIAN CELEBRATIONS’) Published by the Bank of Lithuania, Gedimino pr. 6, LT-01103 Vilnius Printed by INDIGO print, www.indigoprint.lt ladles. Wooden toys made the fair a haven for children, who were enchanted by the many cleverly-made playthings, such as wooden butterflies that could move their wings, puppies wagging their tails, tiny bears animatedly chop- Kaziukas – ping wood. Little boys would be instantly drawn to wooden horses: the ones on wheels or rocking, multi-coloured and even leather quilted, with real horse- hair manes. As a gift from the fair, family members would often receive ‘Kaziukas’ hearts’ – honey cookies with sweet wishes written in icing, as well as garlands of the liveliest Smurgainys ring-shaped rolls. In olden times, not a single fair had been complete without dancing bears, which were trained at the ‘Bear Academy’, established in Smur- holiday in gainys by the Radziwiłł dukes. From 4 March, Vilnius was abuzz for 3–4 days, no matter the weather and abundance of goods. In 1935, the old traditions were rekindled by the student community. On the eve of the celebration, they gathered at St Kazimieras church and in a merry carnival-like Vilnius group headed towards Lukiškės Square. Heralds with fanfares marched at the forefront, followed by young men dressed like historical warriors and merchants. At the rear – people rolling carts that expres- sively advertised Vilnius’ firms and trade delegations. The capital city welcomes spring with a colourful larger fair, which the locals lovingly called Kaziukas (a diminutive of Kazimieras). The During the fair, students would hold performanc- folk art fair – an old tradition with historic roots, stem- commercial side of the feast slowly continued to expand. In 1827, merchants were es of the ‘Šėpa’ marionette theatre – parodies of ming from the processions honouring the canonised given the privilege to organise during Kaziukas a market, the so-called jomarkas, relevant political and academic life. prince Kazimieras (Casimir). As time went on, the markets (ker- which spread over three days. Tents, awnings, and stalls would appear in Cathedral mošius) that accompanied church feasts (atlaidai) grew into a fair that lasted up to three Square – the people of Vilnius called these temporary constructions būdos (huts). days. Kaziuko mugė, or St Kazimieras Fair, is not just a fair in its literal sense – it is also A veritable sea of people was recorded by one of the pioneers of photography in a phenomenon of ethnic culture. Here one can find skilfully hand-made goods, taste Vilnius, Stanislovas Fleris (Flery), who captured remarkable images from this fair. In traditional cuisine that is part of the culinary heritage, appreciate colourful Vilnius-style 1901, under the pretext that Cathedral Square would be the location for a statue of verbos (Easter palms) and other folk art, as well as enjoy folk performances. The centu- the Russian ruler Catherine II, the fair was moved to Lukiškės Square. Yet it quickly ries-old fair is truly one of a kind, having no parallel in either Lithuania, or neighbouring outgrew that setting as well, since it hosted over 2 400 carriages from the surround- countries. ing villages and all of Vilna. Therefore, awnings for merchants branched out along the Neris riverbank, between the Žaliasis and Žvėrynas bridges, leaving space for On 10 May 1604, after prince Kazimieras (1458–1484) was canonised in 1602, a solemn carousels, firing ranges, lotteries and circus attractions. procession was held in Vilnius, welcoming from Rome the purple flag of St Kazimieras, blessed by the pope. Since then, a grand and even slightly theatrical procession would What makes Kaziukas different from other fairs? First of all, the spring mood – the fair take place in the capital city. This procession brought together all of the local workshop was filled with music, jokes, teasing word-play and other revelry. In addition to the craftsmen, guild merchants, night guards, monks and their religious school pupils, stu- manufactured or factory-made goods brought in by merchants, village men sold dents, the country’s nobles and their entourage. With their flags held high, weapons and cottage-industry peasant wares – anything and everything that they could make armour shining bright, parading symbols of their craft or activity, they would line up to from wood during long winter evenings. For a long time, people in Vilna region march through the streets of Vilnius Old Town. The celebrations would last a long while, ran home-based businesses and practised crafts, as the sandy soil could not grow so how could one forgo trading in food, delicacies, religious merchandise? Especially enough for them to survive on. Thus, traditional Kaziukas wares included durable when it was customary to bring back a gift or a souvenir from the fair. household items, such as barrels, buckets, troughs, kneading troughs, butter churns, gorčiai (vessels holding around 3 litres), honey containers, salt cellars, baskets and In 1636, Pope Urban III named St Kazimieras the first patron saint of Lithuania, and bags, as well as various pieces of small furniture. Parts of wooden farming imple- extended his commemoration ceremonies, starting on 4 March, the date of the prince’s ments were sold as well: scythe handles, rakes, shaft bow harnesses and bridles. death, to eight days. The trade that took place during this church feast escalated into a Wood turners peddled spinning wheels, while corvée workers – graven spoons and .