Užgavėnės, Tuesday gras in Lithuania

Throughout Lithuania, and especially in Žemaitija, Tuesday Gras (Užgavėnės) is a joyous and noisy celebration marking the transition from winter to spring. The festivities start on Sunday to last 3 days. The day of Tuesday Gras, it is customary to eat very rich and invigorating food. In fact, on this occasion they savor blinis cooked in the furnaces, these rounds symbolize the sun. The table is provided in abundance but in addition to the family, the party goers go from house to house and are welcomed everywhere. Once the meal is over, guests wish health and prosperity for the next year to their guests. Tuesday Gras' merry commotion begins in the morning and in the evening, masked creatures (devils, witches, dead, goats, gypsies and other scary characters) gather to burn the Moré, the symbol of winter at midnight. At the party, children and adults disguised as animals roam the streets of villages dance, sing and eat. It's the last day before Lent.