The Castellan’s House is joining the Vilnius Pink Soup Fest. From May 29–31, a special festival programme will take place at The Castellan’s House, and on May 30 and 31 visitors will be able to visit the museum free of charge.

Programme

• A Museum in the Color of Pink Soup: Free Entry

On May 30th, the Castellan’s House invites ‘Pink Soup Fest’ participants to visit for free. It is one of the few museums in Vilnius whose visual identity matches the festival’s color – making it a true pink hotspot in the city on this day. Drop by a space where history meets a modern city celebration – unexpectedly, effortlessly, and with a touch of playfulness.

When? May 30, 10 AM–6 PM

• Tradition in a Glass: “Quick Pink Soup” in the Courtyard of the Castellan’s House

Lithuanian pink soup is more than just a soup. It is history, tradition, and a piece of Lithuanian culture. This year, we invite you to experience it differently – right where old Vilnius, heritage, and modern food innovations meet. On May 30th, from 4 PM to 7 PM, a tasting and presentation of ‘Quick Pink Soup’ will take place in the courtyard of the Castellan’s House. In this historical space, where the spirit of ancient times, the museum, and educational activities come alive, we will present a modernly reborn product created based on the traditional food drying method used in Lithuania since olden days. ‘Quick Pink Soup’ is an innovative product with a 100% natural composition that allows you to prepare traditional Lithuanian pink soup in just a few minutes. The drying technology helps preserve the taste, color, and nutritional value of the ingredients, while the traditional recipe is adapted to the pace of modern life. We invite you to come, taste, and see how Lithuanian traditions can intertwine with modernity. Discover how ancient food preparation principles can become an innovation in today’s world.

When? May 30, 4 PM – 7 PM
The tasting is free of charge
Partner: URBAN FOOD

• “The Pink Soup Case: The Missing Recipe” – an educational experience at the Castellan’s House

Rumor has it that the very first bowl of pink soup in Lithuania was eaten at the Castellan’s House, but its recipe has vanished. Festival visitors are invited to become history detectives and recreate the legendary recipe by traveling through different eras. During this educational journey, participants will visit various museum halls, learning about the history of the Tatars’ arrival in Lithuania, the Wallachian Reform, the diets of nobles and peasants, the spice routes to Lithuania, and Bona Sforza’s influence on the royal kitchen. In each space, a brief story and an interactive task await them – ranging from a trading game and scent identification to trying out Renaissance table etiquette. By completing the tasks, participants will gather the main ingredients of pink soup – cucumbers, beetroots, eggs, dill, and sour milk. At the end, they will receive a symbolic ‘Recipe of the First Bowl of Pink Soup’ stamped with the Castellan’s House seal, along with extra museum prizes. To conclude the experience, visitors will get a brief introduction to the history of pink soup in Lithuania – from the earliest mentions of cold borscht to the ‘Chłodnik Litewski’ recipe and the formation of the Lithuanian pink soup tradition.

When? May 30 at 4 PM, 5 PM, and 6 PM
Price: €4 per person, limited capacity
Tickets: click here.

Installation “The Castellan’s Kitchen”

On the occasion of the Pink Soup Festival, the festively minded castle keeper Petras invites you to drop by his hall. Out in the courtyard of the Castellan’s House, Petras can be found in the heat of making the cold soup. Come and see what ancient ingredients from the past the returned Petras will use to surprise his modern-day guests. This is a pink stop on the city map – a place to pause for a moment, see, and capture the memory.

When? May 29–31