Vilnius Cold Soup Festival Features US-Popularized Pickleball

Vilnius is set to host its fourth annual "Vilnius Pink Soup Fest" on May 30-31, transforming the area near the White Bridge into a hub of culinary and sporting activities. This year, the festival is introducing pickleball, a rapidly growing racket sport that has gained immense popularity in the United States and is increasingly capturing attention in Lithuania.

Pickleball, described as easy to learn and unifying across generations, has seen explosive growth in the US, with tens of millions of players joining the community in just a few years. In Lithuania, the sport is primarily driven by enthusiasts and community initiatives. Vilnius alone boasts five to six different courts and a specialized arena, supported by several hundred regular players. The recent Lithuanian Open Pickleball Championship in February attracted 260 participants, including international competitors from Latvia, Poland, Estonia, and the US, highlighting the sport's potential for inbound tourism.

The "Playdate" arena team decided to integrate pickleball into the festival, citing its accessibility, versatility, and even a subtle connection to the color pink in its English name. "Half-jokingly, half-seriously, the English name 'pickleball' can be seen to hint at pink and cucumber, while the egg-shaped ball and paddle-shaped racket also create certain associations," said Jurgita Kveselaitė, founder of "Playdate." She emphasized that it's a sport with a very low barrier to entry, engaging for both young and old.

Four pickleball courts and four professional coaches from "Playdate" arena will be available at the festival's entertainment zone near the White Bridge. Attendees can try the sport on Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All that's needed is comfortable footwear and about half an hour to learn the basics and play a game with friends or family.

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Half-jokingly, half-seriously, the English name 'pickleball' can be seen to hint at pink and cucumber, while the egg-shaped ball and paddle-shaped racket also create certain associations. It is also a sport with a very low barrier to entry, equally engaging for young and old.