TBA

Užgavėnės - Lithuanian Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday Celebration

Shrove Tuesday is one of the most joyful Lithuanian Calendar Festivals. It celebrates the end of winter and it also is the last day beforeLent and seven weeks before Easter. During this celebration, attention is concentrated on chasing away winter with all its evils. It is a day when people should have fun, laugh and be happy. 

For several years now, the Balzekas Museum holds Shrove Tuesday mask-making workshops, at which children learn how to make a traditional Lithuanian shrove Tuesday mask. Participants bring their own materials, such as paper, fur, tree bark, buttons, fabric, yarn and all other items that can be decoratively incorporated into a mask.

Traditional Shrove Tuesday food – pancakes are served. 

Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago 60629
The Museum is open daily, 10 am to 4 pm

Sponsored in part by Chicago-Vilnius Sister City International, Grants from the Illinois Arts Council, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the ECPC. Pictured Mardi Gras celebration at the Balzekas Museum, 2009

Educational Programs

The Museum provides a variety of workshops in traditional Lithuanian folk arts. Workshops are but a part of the educational programs at the museum. More...