Pancakes on a plateBoston Big Local recently awarded £1,500 from the Community Events Grant Scheme to support the Pancake Day Together Event which is being organised by Boston Lithuanian Community. The free event will take place on Saturday 13 February in Statue Square, Market Place, Boston between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. We spoke to Jurate Matulioniene, Chair of Boston Lithuanian Community to find out more about the activities that are planned for the day.

“It’s going to be a lively event with colourful costumes and a performance from Lithuanian folklore group Saduto,” Jurate said. “The group consists of 30 singers and dancers who will present Shrovetide characters through performance. We’ll also be sharing some of the games traditionally played in Lithuania on Shrove Tuesday, and there will be a creative workshop to teach local children how to make Shrovetide masks.

“This is an occasion that will bring together Boston residents from different cultural backgrounds and allow them to share their stories, traditions and experiences.”

The event will also include face painting for children, and Diva’s Cakes will be on hand to make and sell pancakes, pastries, cookies and sweets.

Although Shrove Tuesday falls on 9 February, the event is being held on Saturday 13 February to allow as many local people as possible to attend.

“Lithuanian Pancake Day is one of my favourite winter festivals,” added Jurate. “People wear traditional masks or dress up as witches, devils, goats, and many other characters from folklore. It’s quite similar to Halloween in that it is good fun but also a little frightening! The festival is about saying farewell to winter and heralding the arrival of spring.”

The event is free and open to the whole community. People are encouraged to go along dressed in colourful Shrovetide costumes if they want to.

Pancake Day Together Event – Saturday 13 February – 1.30-3.30pm – Statue Square, Market Place, Boston.