Užgavėnės Carnival, Lithuania

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What is the Užgavėnės Carnival?

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The Lithuanian Carnival, better known as Užgavėnės, is a celebration held every year in the European country. The celebration takes place in communities throughout the country. However, the holiday occurs with somewhat more force in the capital of the country, Vilnius.

During the festivities people dress up as various characters, some with the sense of mocking some ethnic groups or religions. In addition, usually the masks they wear containexaggerated features, big nose, twisted teeth and comply with a theme that is more scary than funny. Likewise, people have the perfect opportunity to simulate a desired character or simply dress up as the craziest thing they can think of.

The celebration features three elements or characters that can never be missed: Moré or Boba, a large straw doll with feminine features, represents the winter spirit, is burned during the festivities to symbolize the end of winter; Lašininis, a male version of Moré, likewise represents the spirit of winter, possesses unpleasant features and must fight with his counterpart; finally, there is Kanapinis, the counterpart of Lašininis, is of slender figure and represents spring. During the celebrations Kanapinis and Lašininis fight, but Kanapinis always wins.

The festivities usually take place in a community atmosphere, traditional festivities with folklore music and recreational activities. Also, some people celebrate by holding small parades, making something of a ruckus and disturbing playfully the rest of the participants.

 

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When is the Užgavėnės Carnival?

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Lithuanian carnivals or Užgavėnės take place before Ash Wednesday, usually between February and March. The Užgavėnės will be taking place on approximately February 16.

 

 

History of the Užgavėnės Carnivals

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Užgavėnės was celebrated in late February and early March, as this was when it marked theend of winter and a new cycle was generated. People living in the rural areas of Lithuania and the population who farmed in the fields were the ones who lived the festivals most intensely due to connection with spring and harvest. People performed ceremonies and rituals to ensure good harvests and a prosperous production year. In this way, people burned figures as ceremonies cleansing ceremonies to call good luck and scare away luck and winter.

The battle between Kanapinis and Lašininis represented the struggle of good against evil, the spring against winter. People associated Lašininis as a lazy and ill-willed person and Kanapinis as kind, graceful and hardworking.

During the Soviet occupation, the festivities became political propaganda, turning the festivities into activities with political purposes and symbolism in favor of the Soviet Union. Even the traditional figures were adapted to the Soviet criteria for holidays.

Once freed from the Soviet Union, Lithuania began to restore its traditions as in the old days. However, some of the imposed traditions are still carried on. The population started to celebrate the festivities as they were celebrated before to keep the traditions intact, adding some modern elements.

Previously, the masks were made with tree bark and old clothes, elements that are still maintained today. Likewise, the population also dressed up to satirize certain religious sectors, ethnic groups, the unkempt and old age, aspects that remain, but with much less force.

 

Where is the Užgavėnės Carnival?

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The Užgavėnės celebrations take place all over the national territory, in the different communities and cities. However, in the capital of the country it is celebrated with much more coverage and on larger scales.

 

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How is the Užgavėnės Carnival celebrated?

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Carnival festivities are the perfect opportunity for people to let out their true selves. During the Užgavėnės people can dress and act as they prefer. Some people prefer to stick to traditions and wear masks depicting animals, faces with disturbing expressions and exaggerated features, dying old women or witches. Some men dress as women and some women, as men. Likewise, some seek to ridicule some social sectors, the some celebrities, people of importance and politicians.

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In addition, people congregate with their communities, friends and family members andcelebrate with music, theatrical plays, role plays, chants and recreational games. Asome people also hold small parades in which they visit their neighbors to invite them to participate while carrying the Moré figure.

People cook traditional holiday dishes, such as panqueques fried in plenty of grease or rosquillas sprinkled with sugar. People eat to their heart’s content to look forward to the most fun time of the year. Also, the tradition of the Burning of Moré and the battle of Kanapinis and Lašininis cannot be missed.

 

Tips for going to the Užgavėnės Carnival

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If you want to go to celebrate carnivals, we recommend planning your trip in advance, reserving your accommodation in advance and making a itinerary of activities or attractions you want to visit.

In addition, we recommend you to pack winter clothes to protect you from the cold, since the temperature in the capital ranges between -7 and -1 during these dates.

 

 

 

Events in Carnival Užgavėnės

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The festivities and activities begin in the morning. Some people hold parades or processions through the streets to call their neighbors to participate and motivate them to be part of the traditions. Uthey usually carry the Moré with them during the parades. Likewise, in the different communities they carry out differentcombat, skiing or team games. In addition, you can not miss the fairs or shops where panqueques, one of the typical dishes of the festivities, are made. The locals do not miss the opportunity to celebrate with music, singing and dancing ortheatrical presentations and role play.

Battle of Lašininis and Kanapinis are held in the evening and usually the Burning of Moré is performed at the end of the festivities. However, some communities perform it during the morning. People continue the celebrations until dawn, when they receive Cinder Wednesday and the times of serenity and tranquility begin.

 

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Užgavėnės Carnival Parades

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Parades are held between neighbors and communities. People go through the streets to call the neighbors to participate while singing and playing typical holiday music. You can’t miss the people with the somewhat spooky costumes and with exaggerated expressions..

 

 

Parade route

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Parades are held in the neighborhoods or streets of the communities where the festivities are celebrated. In the nation’s capital, parades usually take place on Gediminas Avenue.

 

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What to eat at Užgavėnės Carnival

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During the holidays it is tradition to eat Blynai, or simply pancakes or crepes. These are accompanied with different jams, creams or plain and have the characteristic of being somewhat harder and crispier than traditional pancakes. In addition, you can eat Spurgos, or donas, these are usually covered with sugar or glazed.

In addition, we offer you some restaurants you can visit if you decide to attend the carnivals in Vilna: Senoji Trobele, Restaurant Lokys and Etno Dvaras.

 

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Travel Insurance

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From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend to hire a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurance. Read more information about all insurance offers here:

 

 

What to see and do inside Užgavėnės Carnival

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Within the carnivals you can take part in the small parades held by the locals to call the other residents to participate. In addition, you can take part in the different recreational activities that the communities carry out.

Also, you can’t miss the Burning of the Moré, the Battle of Lašinininis and Kanapinis, the musical and theatrical performances. Make sure you have a costume that suits the festivities so as not to be left out.

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What to see and do outside of the Užgavėnės Carnivals?

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You can also visit some attractions found in the capital of Lithuania.

St. Peter and Paul’s Church

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It is a religious temple belonging to the Catholic religion. It was built from the seventeenth to the eighteenth century and its architectural style is baroque.

 

Museum of illusions

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It is a museum of optical illusions. The enclosure has about 400 square meters where a large number of mysterious artifacts, works of art and riddles are on display. Many of the museum’s sections are offered as educational and academic activities.

 

Šv. Onos bažnyčia or St. Anne’s Church

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It is a Catholic temple that is part of the World Heritage Site. It was formerly a wooden temple during the 14th century; however, the present church was remodeled during the 15th and early 16th century.

Also if you want to visit museums and important buildings in this city we recommend that you book your ticket in advance through Tiquets: .

 

Safety at the Užgavėnės Carnivals

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The city of Vilna and Lithuania are extremely safe. However, we advise you to put into practice basic safety rules and stay alert of your surroundings.

As always, we recommend that you keep your personal belongings or valuables in a safe place to avoid misplacing them. Also, we recommend the following products to keep your valuables safe and secure:

 

 

Weather at the Užgavėnės Carnival

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During carnival celebrations the region has cold weather, with temperatures ranging from -7 to -1 degrees Celsius. Remember to bring a warm coat.

 

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How to get to the Užgavėnės Carnivals

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How to get there by plane

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The country’s main airport is located in the capital, the city of Vilna. Vilnius International Airport receives a large number of flights from the region. Once here, you can use the various means of transportation to get to the location of your choice.

We recommend buying airline tickets through Kiwi.com or Skyscanner where they are usually cheaper. More information on this link to review Kiwi.com..

 

How to get there by train

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From the airport you can take a Lithuanian Railways train to the city center.

 

How to get there by bus

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From the airport you can take a SĮ bus to the city center. The journey takes 15 minutes.

 

How to get there by car

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From the airport you can take a cab or private vehicle and transport you via Dariaus go Girėno and then Švitrigailos. The drive is 10 minutes.

 

Where to stay at the Užgavėnės Carnival

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Booking.com

 

City Gate

3-star hotel 1.6 km from the center of Vilnius. Rooms are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms. The establishment offers airport transfers, areas for people with reduced mobility, parking and free Wi-Fi.

 

Loop Hotel Vilnius

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4 star hotel 4.1 km from the center of Vilnius. Rooms feature air-conditioning, desk and private bath; some rooms have two floors. Facilities offer gym, bar, parking and free Wi-Fi.

 

Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva

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4-star hotel 1 km from the center of Vilnius. Rooms have air conditioning, TV, safe and private bathroom. The hotel has a gym, bar, airport transfers, parking and free wifi.

We recommend using Booking.com to book hotels at good rates, check more information here:.

 

Booking.com

 

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