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Country Guide > Europe > Lithuania | |
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Social Profile Food & Drink Local specialities include skilandis (smoked meat), salti barsciai (cold soup), cepelinai (made from grated potatoes with a minced meat filling), vedarai (potato sausage) and bulviniai blynai (potato pancakes). Smoked eel is a famous Baltic delicacy. Waiter service is the norm in restaurants and cafes, but self-service restaurants, bistros and snack bars are numerous. Local brands of beer and imported drinks are popular. A famous Lithuanian spirit is midus, a mild alcoholic beverage made from honey. Nightlife Cinemas can be found in all towns. Lithuanian theatres, most of which are concentrated in the capital, are also renowned. The Jaunimo teatras in Vilnius are famous throughout the country. Opera and ballet are staged in the city at the Vilnius Opera Theatre and Kaunas has a Musical Theatre. Puppet shows are staged for children in Vilnius and Kaunas. There are restaurants with live music as well as numerous discos and nightclubs with variety shows in the larger towns. Shopping Amber, linen goods and local crafts are good buys. National artists sell their works in specialised art galleries in major towns. Shopping hours: Grocery shops open Mon-Fri 0800-2000. Special Events For full details, contact the Lithuanian State Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Lithuania in 2005: Jan 6 Epiphany Procession (The Three Magi), Vilnius. Feb 5 SARTAI 2005, Dusetos, Zarasai Region. Feb 8 Mardi Gras, Vilnius. Feb 10-13 Vilnius Book Fair. Mar 4-6 Kaziukas Fair. Mar 11 Day of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania. Mar 25-Apr 1 Cinema Festival 'Vilniaus Pavasaris'. Apr International Contemporary Dance Festival - New Baltic Dance, Vilnius. May Opening of the Tourist Season, Trakai. May 26-29 32nd International Folklore Festival, Vilnius. Jun-Jul Vilnius Festival. Jun-Aug Vilnius Carnival. Jun 3-5 XII Jazz Festival at Klaipeda Castle. Jun 23 Feast of St John, nationwide. Jul Wine Festival, Anykačiai; Cucumber Festival. Jul 1-Aug 1 St Christopher's Summer Festival. Jul 9-16 International Thom Mann's Festival. Jul 19-24 Sea Festival, Klaipeda. Aug 1-23 VIII International Opera & Symphony Festival, Klaipeda. Sep 10-18 The Days of the Capital - Vilnius 2005. Sep 15-18 International Festival - Vilnius Jazz 2005. Sep 24 Mushroom Fiesta, Varena. Oct International Festival of Modern Music - GAIDA, Vilnius. Oct 21-23 International Festival of Singing Poetry, Vilnius. Dec-Jan 2006 Christmas Festivities. Social Conventions Handshaking is customary. Normal courtesies should be observed. The Lithuanians are proud of their culture and their national heritage and visitors should take care to respect this sense of national identity. Tipping: Taxi fares and restaurant bills include a tip. Otherwise, tips are discretionary. |