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• Issue 2, March 2000 • Volume 24 •

On the Second Anniversary of the U.S. — Baltic (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) Charter Partnership

From the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania
The Charter demonstrates the U.S.’s attention to the Baltic region.

Linking Russia With New Europe

Vygaudas Usackas with a foreword by Dr. Vytautas Bieliauskas
Kaliningrad’s present status and future analyzed,

 

The Ride for Peace… Only the Beginning

The Peaceride Bicyclists
A journey’s end spells renewal for a peaceful message.

Looking Back With Joy

Katie Hoyle and Emilija Sakadolskis
A.P.P.L.E.’s 10th anniversary.

The Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival — 2000

Jûratë Budrys
A look into what promises to be a memorable dance festival.

Lituanica 2003 The Flight of Completion

Jay V. Sakas
Darius and Girénas’s flight to be repeated and completed.

 

Caring for Lithuania’s Forgotten Treasure

Jeanne Dorr
A home for needy children.

Departments. . .

PERSPECTIVES
CURRENT EVENTS
News from our readers
News from Lithuania
A new trivia question

St. Casimir’s Palms

A traditional Lithuanian folk crafts fair dating back to the beginning of the 17th century takes place every year on March 4th in Lithuanian market places and Lithuanian-American communities.

As the fair was held on St. Casimir's Day on March 4, it’s popularly referred to as Kaziuko Mugë or Little Casimir's fair.

In Vilnius, traditional palms made of colorful dried flowers and herbs, which believers take to church on Palm Sunday, are the fair's badge. The Vilnius palms originate from a lily with which traditionally St. Casimir is portrayed.

The son of the king of Poland and the Great Duchy of Lithuania, Casimir, ruled in the 15th century. After his death, he was canonized and designated as a patron saint of Lithuania.

Today it is rather more like a festival of folk art and crafts, music and dance attracting people and craftsmen from all over the communities.

On the cover:
The interior of the chapel of St. Casimir featuring the altar with St. Casimir's coffin

Photo from http://www.mif.vu.lt/katedros/cs2/casimir.htm.
Photo by Bernard Naruðis

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