Palanga Smelt 2009

“Palanga Smelt 2009,” a traditional festival, will be held for the sixth time in the town of Palanga on February 15. Smelt is a small fish from the salmon family, silver in color and tasting very much like fresh cucumber. In Lithuania, smelt is called “stinta.” The celebration honoring this eagerly awaited visitor, which swims in from the Baltic Sea to spawn at this time of year, will be held on an impressive scale. During the festival, visitors to the town can learn about the fishing traditions and history of the coastal region, and on the town’s main street—J. Basanavičius Street—they can sample freshly prepared dried, fried, and smoked fish, as well as other delicacies made from smelt. Many different contests will also be held for visitors during the festival, and one of its most thrilling events is night fishing and catching smelt from the pier. The most enjoyable part of the festival is usually the folk dancing and singing. At the same time, in honor of “Palanga Smelt 2009,” the town library will present the exhibition “Fishing Culture of the Coastal Region” for the first time. Some of the region’s most prominent fishermen will be featured, along with various fishing nets.
To recall previous “Palanga Smelt” festivals, visitors can also see the photo exhibition “Sea Cucumbers,” which will be on display at a local café.

Program of events:
8:00–13:00 Smelt-catching competition at the pier
11:00 Exhibition at the town library: “Fishing Culture of the Coastal Region”
11:30 Traditional refreshments for guests and fishermen
12:30 Festival opening on J. Basanavičius Street
13:00 Concert: “Fishermen’s Folk Songs”
13:30 Competition in Anchor Clearing
17:00 Smelt-eating competition — final

Based on information from the website: www.palangatic.lt
Photos: ©yoppy/www.flickr.com