Vilnius, Lithuania's Vibrant Celebration of the Famous Pink Soup Festival
Vibrant, boisterous, and flavorful: Such is the city's revelry over its iconic cult soup. - A city joyfully honors its iconic, loud, and flavorful soup with vibrant pink hues.
In Lithuania's buzzing capital, Vilnius, the annual Pink Soup Festival sets the stage for summer on May 31st. This lively event pays tribute to the renowned Lithuanian cold beet soup, šaltibarščiai, which signifies the warmth of summer in their culture.
Thousands flock to the city for parades, melodies, costumes, and, of course, a generous helping of soup. The attractions include a jaw-dropping 50-meter-long pink slide plunging into an inflatable soup bowl, an exhilarating costume contest that showcases pink-inspired outfits, and an amusing "No-Spill" race where participants navigate soup trays to the finish line without a spill.
A smorgasbord of culinary delights awaits, with classic šaltibarščiai, as well as creative variations in cocktails, desserts, and workshops. For the eager cooks at home, discover an authentic šaltibarščiai recipe from our expert culinary guide, Denise Snieguolė Wachter.
Gallery:
- Lithuania
- Vilnius
- Beetroot
- Summer festival
The Vilnius Pink Soup Fest offers an array of experiences that include colorful parades, captivating brass bands, spirited dancers, and the ever-popular Saltibarstukas mascot. Food enthusiasts get the chance to sample various renditions of the redolent cold beet soup. The celebration also includes art exhibits, such as the "Cold Soup Quilts" show, featuring over 70 works.
The festival encourages creativity through its costume contest, where participants don unique pink outfits. Voting determines the ultimate victor of this bright and quirky affair. As the sun sets, some city landmarks glow pink, creating an enchanting ambiance.
Lithuanian Beet Soup Recipe (Šaltibarščiai)
Šaltibarščiai is a delightful cold beet soup that forms an integral part of Lithuanian cuisine. Embrace this refreshing dish with this traditional recipe:
Ingredients
- Beets: 2 large beets
- Sour cream: 1 cup
- Buttermilk or yogurt: 1 cup
- Chopped fresh Dill: 1/4 cup
- Chopped fresh Chives or Scallions: 1/4 cup
- Cucumber: 1 medium, peeled and grated
- Hard-Boiled Egg: 1 egg, chopped
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
- Lemon juice: Optional, for extra flavor
Instructions
- Prepare the Beets: Boil or roast the beets until tender. Cool, peel, and grate them.
- Make the Soup Base: Combine the grated beets, sour cream, and buttermilk or yogurt in a large bowl, mixing until smooth.
- Add Flavor and Texture: Stir in chopped fresh dill, chives or scallions, grated cucumber, and chopped hard-boiled egg.
- Season to Taste: Season with salt, pepper, and optional lemon juice.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the soup for at least an hour to let the flavors marry. Serve chilled, with additional dill or chives for garnish if desired.
This cool and zesty beet soup is an excellent way to immerse yourself in Lithuania's culinary heritage during the summer season.
In Lithuania, specifically in its capital city Vilnius, the Pink Soup Festival is an annual celebration that mirrors the culture's appreciation for the traditional cold beet soup, šaltibarščiai, synonymous with the warmth of summer. To recreate this refreshing Lithuanian dish at home, follow our expert culinary guide Denise Snieguolė Wachter's authentic šaltibarščiai recipe.
