LikeCroatia

By: Elaine

Croatian cuisine, unfortunately, isn’t particularly vegetarian friendly. Recently, Zagreb-based health food chef and coach Maja Kefecek discussed the plight of vegans and vegetarians in Croatia in depth, noting that often, even dishes that do not usually contain meat, like risotto, are not as always as vegetarian friendly as they might seem.

But, things are changing! At the very least, it’s evident that people in Croatia, or at least in the capital city of Zagreb, are interested in vegetarianism. Statistics tell us that while only 30,000 of Zagreb’s residents identify as vegetarians, 85% percent of the city’s population support vegetarianism.

In an effort to encourage vegan and vegetarian diets and promote a sustainable lifestyle, Animal Friends Croatia has organized the ZeGeVege Festival of Sustainable Living with the help of Vegehop vegetarian restaurant, bio&bio health food store, and other companies that support a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. Now in its fifth year, the festival has so far attracted over 60,000 attendees.

The two-day festival takes place this Friday and Saturday, September 7-8, on Zagreb’s main square, Trg Bana Jelacica. There, festival goers can browse animal-friendly products by some 40 local vendors and visit with representatives from organizations that promote animal rights. Expect to be pampered, and don’t be afraid to sample free cosmetics or a complementary massage.

An open-air restaurant on the square will serve food throughout the day, so if you get hungry while browsing, take a seat and enjoy some vegetarian-friendly cuisine.

The festival also features an entertainment program of daily performances by artists and musicians as well as evening concerts.

The festival runs all day, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., ensuring that you’ll get the opportunity to stop in and check it out. It’s a great resource for those already following a vegan or vegetarian diet, and the perfect opportunity to learn more about sustainable living.

Find your best dining options wherever you are in Croatia with Like Croatia’s Good Restaurants app, available on iTunes now!