The Vilnius Fine Crafts, Ethnographic Businesses and Fairs Programme (hereinafter – the Crafts Programme), established by the Vilnius City Municipality and operating for more than 25 years, promotes and preserves traditional crafts in the historic centre of Vilnius. The artisans’ gallery-workshops host free craft demonstrations, educational activities, practical training for students, social projects and exhibitions. Artisans participate in the annual European Artistic Crafts Days and European Archaeology Days, the Kaziukas Fair and the St. Bartholomew’s Fair, and conduct educational activities as part of the “Cultural Passport” educational programme.
In 2006, at the initiative of the Vilnius Old Town Renewal Agency, participation of the Programme members in city festivals became mandatory. This gradually led to the revival of the traditional artisans’ procession at the Kaziukas Fair, followed by the restoration of historical costumes and guild banners. This, in turn, encouraged the revival of the historic St. Bartholomew’s Fair of artisans in 2009.
In 2025, an updated Vilnius Historical Crafts and Fairs Programme (the Crafts Programme) was prepared. In 2025, there were 11 Programme participants and projects funded by the Municipality.
In 2017, several galleries began producing replicas of authentic historical artefacts. At the Agency’s initiative, participation in the national “Cultural Passport” education programme began in 2018. With the support of the Vilnius City Municipality, a promotional short film, “Vilnius City Crafts”, was created.
In 2019, the Vilnius Tourist Information Centre recognised the St. Bartholomew’s Fair and the International Contemporary Art Fair “ArtVilnius”, initiated by Programme participants, as some of the most interesting events in the capital.
