Even though this year's winter seems already on the move, traditional Mardi Gras chanting “Žiema žiema, bėk iš kiemo” (“Winter winter, get out of the yard”) still echoed loudly in the courtyards of Vilnius, defying melting snow and frosty wind.
The winter's end festival already took place this weekend in the City Hall Square, but the actual Greasy Tuesday saw enough festivities too. Every district of the City of Vilnius had their own Užgavėnės celebration.
People with masks – another important tradition – gathered in Lazdynai to make and treat each other with pancakes. The masks presented a traditional array of Užgavėnės' characters: devils, bears, and witches.
Participants sporting best – most impressive and imaginative – masks were awarded prizes. So were makers of pancakes that the jury judged most delicious.
An essential event in every Lithuanian Mardi Gras is the fight between two characters – the fat Lašininis and the skinny Kanapinis. The two met in a tug-of-war competition. Then it was Morė who took the stage.
Morė is a colorful dummy that gets burnt on the fire by the end of festivities. It is hoped that all the troubles and hardships of yesteryear burns with the dummy.
Mardi Gras is an old pan-European festival that marks the end of winter. This is also the last day to party before the beginning of Lent that lasts seven weeks before Easter. On this Tuesday, people fill their stomachs as the following seven weeks are period of fasting.
Pancakes are the most popular dish of Lithuanian Mardi Gras, but the Užgavėnės table also includes hotchpotch soup, doughnuts, meat jelly.
