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The Further Adventures of Claire
According to Lithuanian Tradition March 1st was the first day of spring. Of course it is still snowy and very cold, so it sure doesn't feel like spring to me... but it is very good to know that winter is almost over. At least now there are little old ladies on the street selling pussywillows, and the flower shops are filled with tulips and daffodils.
On the day before (feb.28th) there is a celebration for mardigras where people get together eat pancakes all day, put on traditional plays, and burn an effigy of "old lady" winter. Of course I couldn't participate because I was in the theater all day, but Virgis and Dalė went out to celebrate in the country-side and brought back many pictures and stories. :)
Saturday was St. Casimir's day, which means a big street fair with lots of country crafts - wood carvings, honey, beeswax candles, hand knit socks and mittens, etc. I had a lot of fun drinking mulled wine, listening to lithuanian music and being jostled by the crowds.
Apparently St. Casimir was one of the royals of Lithuania who ruled in Poland and then was brought back to his homeland after his death. I have no idea what he did to become a saint, but they say that Lithuanians have been celebrating the day every year since his funeral wake hundreds of years ago. Everybody buys these special wands made of dried flowers, and big artifical "flowers" made of wood, wheat, cloth, etc. So it felt to me like a festival welcoming spring.
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