Few dishes can inspire citywide celebrations, costume parades,

For many guests, one of the most memorable parts of the afternoon

giant inflatable soup bowls, and a sea of vibrant pink clothing. Yet

was introducing šaltibarščiai to friends who had never tasted it.

šaltibarščiai (pronounced roughly shalt-ee-barsh-chay), Lithuania’s

In addition to festival attendees, organizers shared samples of

beloved cold beetroot soup, has done exactly that.

šaltibarščiai with members of the community passing by on the

What began in 2023 as a celebration of Lithuania’s favorite summer

street. Chelsea neighborhood members showed tremendous

dish at the Vilnius Cold Soup Fest has grown into a colorful

interest in sampling the pink soup and hearing about the festival.

international tradition. This summer, that neon-pink celebration

And the first reaction was almost always the same: “Wow—

crossed the Atlantic and arrived in the heart of New York City.

that color!”

The story began in Vilnius, where the annual celebration has helped

turn šaltibarščiai into more than just a beloved summer meal—it has

become a symbol of Lithuanian culture, community and joy. Inspired

by the success of the Vilnius festival, Lithuanian communities abroad

began bringing the tradition to their own cities.

On May 30, 2026, the historic Lithuanian Alliance of America

(SLA) joined forces with the Consulate General of the Republic

of Lithuania in New York, and supporters of Lithuanian culture to

host New York City’s first-ever Pink Soup Festival.

And what better way to celebrate than with a little friendly

competition?

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A Battle for the Best Pink Soup

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The centerpiece of the festival was an international šaltibarščiai

competition. Five teams (six enthusiastic participants: Algis

Norvila, Elena Valainyte, Elvira Cupika-Mavrina, Ingrida

Galkauskiene, Jolita Crosland, and Sarunas Burza from New Jersey,

Brooklyn and throughout New York City, each carrying their

carefully prepared recipes and jars of what they believed was the

best cold beet soup in the world.

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Guests had the opportunity to taste every version and discover just

how differently one traditional recipe can be interpreted. Among

the offerings was even a Latvian take on cold pink soup, aukstā

zupa, adding an international twist to the competition.

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Every attendee received a voting ticket and, after much tasting,

discussion and deliberation, the winners were announced:

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Third place: Algis Norvila

Second place: Elena Valainyte and Jolita Crosland

First place: Ingrida Galkauskiene

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The winner also delighted guests with an unexpected bonus—a

Pink Lazy Cake, proving that when it comes to pink food, there is

almost no limit to the imagination.

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More Than Just Soup

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Of course, the festival was about much more than food. Guests

arrived dressed in pink, wearing colorful accessories and embracing

the playful spirit of the celebration. Lithuanian music filled

the venue, thanks to DJ Agurkėlis Šarūnas, while old and new

traditions came together in a uniquely New York setting.

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The unmistakable neon-pink soup certainly attracted attention.

But after the first spoonful, the surprise often turned into smiles.

Guests discovered a refreshing summer dish made with beets, kefir,

cucumbers, dill and other simple ingredients—a taste of Lithuania

that was as bright and welcoming as the festival itself.

The event also gave attendees a chance to sample Tingibarščiai,

an instant version of beet soup, generously introduced to the

community with the support of Kauno Grūdai.

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Bringing Lithuania to New York

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The festival would not have been possible without the dedication of

its organizers, volunteers, partners and supporters. Special thanks

go to Go Vilnius, the official event partner, and Kauno Grūdai,

whose generous sponsorship helped make the celebration possible.

The event attracted more than 100 guests, with people traveling

from across the region—including Long Island, Pennsylvania,

New Jersey and Connecticut—to join the celebration. Amongst

many honorable attendees were two members of the New York

Preservation Committee, Lisa Kersavage and Courtney Metakis.

Interest was so strong that registration had to close only a few

days after the event was announced because of limited space.

Unfortunately, not everyone who wanted to attend could be

accommodated, and the organizers extend their sincere apologies to

those who were unable to join.

The festival also attracted attention beyond the Lithuanian-

American community, receiving coverage from Lithuanian media as

well as local American outlets, including the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

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A New Pink Tradition?

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By the end of the afternoon, one thing was clear: New York had

fallen for the pink soup. The first New York Pink Soup Festival was

not simply an opportunity to taste a traditional Lithuanian dish.

It was a celebration of heritage, friendship and community—and

a reminder that food can be one of the most joyful ways to share

culture with our neighbors. The many requests to make the festival

an annual event suggest that the story may only be beginning. For

generations, Lithuanians have known that summer tastes better

with a bowl of šaltibarščiai. Now, New York City is getting a taste

of the tradition too. And judging by the enthusiasm, the neon-pink

revolution may be here to stay.

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