F is for Festivals

F if for Festivals, or more precicely festival, in this case Užgavėnės (Shrovetide, Mardis Gras).

Across the country people dress up, make a lot of noise and even set fire to a mock-up of Winter herself. Just another Saturday evening for students some might say, and for others a little too reminiscent of the The Wicker Man.

In my dictionary, the nearest related words are užgavėjas and užgavimas, meaning, 'one who insults' and 'an insult'. Although the word Užgavėnės actually means "before fasting", insulting is pretty much sums up what happens at this time of year. Whereas in the UK we might make a few pancakes on Pancake Day/ Shrove Tuesday and maybe give up something for lent until Easter (both of which do happen here), the tradition of Užgavėnės also involves dressing up and making a lot of noise - with the aim of scaring away winter. This year, the winter has not been very cold, so there's not much to scare away - but nonetheless, the turn-out in Vilnius city centre was impressive. I'll let the photos do their own talking...