Vilnius is preparing for the third annual celebration of Lithuania’s beloved cold pink soup, šaltibarščiai (pronounced shul-tee-BAR-shay). The refreshing smell of šaltibarščiai is associated with warm spring and summer days for many Lithuanians–and the Vilnius Pink Soup Fest, taking place on the 31st of May, will mark the official start of the summer season in the city.
Last year, the festival attracted over 42,000 attendees.This year’s event is expected to be even bigger, with more colorful activities planned for an unforgettable visual and culinary experience.
Pink Parade: new addition to the event lineup
A new addition to the 2025 festival will be the Pink Parade, which will start in the city’s main street and will cross the city center. The parade will brighten the city with its pink color and kick off the main party.
Costume competition
Vilnius Pink Soup Fest-goers, who usually dress up in their favorite pink outfits or get creative with pink soup-themed costumes, such as an egg or beetroot, will have a chance to compete for prizes in the costume contest later that day.
Sliding down into a pink soup bowl
On the other hand, thrill-seeking festival-goers will be able to once again slide down the 50-meter-long pink slide leading into a giant inflatable pink bowl at the Bastion Hill.
Pink Waiters’ Marathon: no spills run
Those who like to mix fun with sports, will be able to enjoy the Pink Waiters’ Marathon, inspired by Parisian coffee runs and Munich’s beer-carrying contests. The waiters will race through the streets, balancing bowls of pink soup while trying to avoid spills on their shirts.
To satisfy the hunger after all the activities, festival attendees will be able to taste šaltibarščiai from many restaurants and food vendors, and to try out creative twists on the pink soup with original cocktails and desserts.
The festival also offers a unique opportunity to explore the city’s growing gastronomic scene beyond the cold pink soup. Visitors will be able to attend creative workshops, listen to live music performances, and take part in plenty of family-friendly events.
Super healthy soup that inspires rap song wars
In 2023, Taste Atlas ranked šaltibarščiai as the world’s best cold soup, affirming its place as a culinary icon. Last year, a friendly rivalry between Lithuanians and Latvians over the soup’s ownership even inspired a Latvian rap song. Vilnius responded quickly and light-heartedly with its own song.
The ingredients of šaltibarščiai are particularly healthy–for example, the main ingredient, kefir, named a superfood by Healthline, can reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure and improve digestion. It is a fermented beverage, similar to yogurt, usually made from milk that contains protein, calcium, B vitamins, potassium and probiotics, but has more probiotic strains than yogurt. Kefir is traditionally made from cow’s milk, but is typically well tolerated by people with lactose intolerance.
Classic Lithuanian šaltibarščiai recipe
Ingredients:
4 medium cooked beets (grated or finely chopped)
4 cups kefir (buttermilk or yoghurt)
1 cup cold water (adjust for desired consistency)
1 cucumber (diced)
3 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
3 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped)
2 spring onions (chopped)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Serve with boiled potatoes (hot, on the side).
Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine the grated beets, cucumber, eggs, dill, and spring onions. Pour in the kefir and mix well. Add cold water to adjust thickness. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend. Serve chilled with a side of hot boiled potatoes.
