Vilnius’ pancake restaurant challenges disability stigma

Pirmas Blynas, now relocated to the ground floor of a church, employs people with learning difficulties

For mentally handicapped persons society screams hell, and Lithuania, alas, is no exception. Ridiculed and insulted in public settings, with employment opportunities next to none, they are confined to a lonely existence behind the closed doors of their home or institution. But, for three years now, a restaurant in Vilnius is battling against this stigma – by employing people with learning disabilities and showing visitors that they are just like them, only sometimes a little slower.

New location

'Pirmas blynas', a groundbreaking eatery specializing in pancakes, which has made headlines as Lithuania’s first restaurant with a socially conscious mission, now has a new address. As of 5 August, it can be found at 15 Savičiaus St. in Vilnius, on the ground floor of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation.

'Pirmas blynas' is partnering a project for community social integration activities, implemented by the Community and Social Innovations Centre Ramintoja.

"We wanted this place to be not just an ordinary cafe," says Centre director Lina Blažytė, as quoted by vilnius.lt. ”Taking into account the need of promoting social responsibility and social sensitivity, culinary activities will be used as a tool for social inclusion during the project. 

With this project, we want to establish communication and cooperation between the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania and representatives of socially excluded groups towards creating preconditions for  social dialogue, tolerance, diversity of leisure and community activities in an informal environment, understanding of the needs and expectations of disabled persons.”

Paragon of cooperation

Preparing the restaurant premises was a prime example of the cooperation of different organizations in creating social value for the community. The Community and Social Innovations Centre, together with Lithuanian Police Chaplain Fr. Algirdas Toliatas, devoted almost a year to attracting sponsors and revamping the premises in small steps.

Members of the religious community were very active, both by donating and contributing to the reconstruction works. Alongside professional companies who took care of the interior design and the electrical, water supply and ventilation installations, students of Vilnius Construction School did the plastering and painting.

Culinary and social inclusion achievements

Pirmas blynas has integrated and continuously supported a team of people with special needs for the past three years. The company has received accolades both for its culinary and social inclusion achievements, winning the 2018 Social business award and receiving the 2020 Travelers’ choice designation by Trip Advisor.

Pirmas blynas also runs educational projects about Down syndrome, autism and other disabilities, workshops for social workers, and practical work skills training for people with special needs. The company hosts many more activities for both Lithuanians and foreigners, such as language exchanges, board game evenings, science meetings, and sign language lessons.

The Flying Dutchman

Pirmas Blynas, a Lithuanian wordplay on ‘first pancake’ (or the first try), has been founded by Tim Van Wijk, a young Dutchman married to a Lithuanian. Having worked as a social worker in his motherland, he became highly sensitive to the needs of people with learning disabilities.

This, coupled with his experience as a bakery boy, naturally led to the concept of a social restaurant taking shape. And he didn’t have to look far for examples, as cafes and restaurants which hire people with disabilities are common in the Netherlands. Tim now hopes that other Lithuanian establishments will see what he is doing and follow suit.

Lunch with 3D virtual tour

Those who want not only to have a delicious lunch, but also to participate in educational activities are invited to visit www.bendryste.lt and www.pirmasblynas.lt. 

The social restaurant is open all days of the week, except Tuesdays, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. And when you come to taste the sweet and savoury pancakes, don't forget to ask for the 3D Virtual tour to see what the Church looked like 300 years ago.