Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Thyme with Tina

Last weekend, Croatia’s biggest vegan festival, ZegeVege, took place. I’m sharing the highlights of the festival and all the juicy vegan bites.

What is ZegeVege?

The popular sustainable living festival is a unique opportunity for everyone to discover various vegan delicacies and eco-friendly, entirely plant-based products that have not been tested on animals.

The festival features educational talks, performances, incredible vegan food, and vegan products, including Croatian vegan cosmetic brands, clothing, pet supplies, and more.

The festival has already been going on for 16 years and thrives every year.

The main organiser is Prijatelji Zivotinja.

“Prijatelji životinja” (Friends of Animals)

Prijatelji Životinja is a prominent animal rights organisation in Croatia. It was founded in 2001, and its main mission is to advocate for animal protection and promote a vegan lifestyle. The team in Prijatelji životinja engage in various activities, raises public awareness about animal cruelty, pushes for animal welfare legislation, and promotes animals’ ethical treatment in food production, fashion, entertainment, and research.

They organise campaigns, events, and educational programmes to address issues such as factory farming, fur farming, animal testing, and the exploitation of animals in circuses and zoos.

The organisation also supports the adoption of shelter animals and the implementation of sustainable, cruelty-free practices in everyday life.

Educational talks at ZegeVege

One of the most important parts of the festival must be the educational talks. This is an opportunity to share more about vegan food and lifestyle and teach individuals and bypassers about vegan nutrition, environmental issues and also the fun part such as children’s workshops and different performances.

I had the absolute pleasure of being part of the educational talks this year, delivering a session on nutrition – “Veganism: The Path to Health and Vitality”. As a nutritionist, I’m always on the lookout for new ways to share the benefits of a plant-based diet, and ZeGeVege provided the perfect platform. My talk focused on how plant-based nutrition can not only provide all the nutrients you need but can also help combat some of the major health issues of our time—diabetes, heart disease, and even that inevitable after-lunch crash.

Between discussions about plant proteins, vitamin B12, and whether one can indeed eat too much tofu (spoiler: it’s really hard to!), we covered it all.

Vegan Food at ZegeVege

The food section was a real highlight, offering a fantastic range of dishes that brought together traditional Croatian flavours and international vegan cuisine. From vegan cordon bleu and seitan pašticada to plant-based sushi and decadent desserts like Dunavski Valovi, there was something to satisfy every craving. It was a great opportunity to discover just how diverse and delicious vegan food can be.

Different vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants presented a variety of plant-based dishes, including:

• Vegan Cordon Bleu: A plant-based twist on the classic dish.
• Pea Protein ‘Chicken’ in Pita Bread: A savoury option featuring pea protein.
• Sushi and Gyoza: Japanese speciality crafted from vegan ingredients.
• Falafel and Pad Thai: Middle Eastern and Thai dishes made plant-based.
• Seitan Pašticada and Plant-Based Goulash: Vegan versions of traditional Croatian stews.
• Variety of Burgers: Options included patties made from vegan ‘beef’, chickpeas, quinoa, or spinach.

But it wasn’t all about the food. (Okay, maybe it was 90% about the food.) In the remaining 10%, we saw a powerful presence of organisations dedicated to the broader eco-friendly movement. Solar power companies, eco-entrepreneurs, and fair-trade advocates found their place, adding layers of insight into how a plant-based lifestyle can also intersect with sustainability and ethical consumption.

ZeGeVege in Zagreb: More Than Just a Festival

The 16th ZeGeVege wasn’t just a festival; it was a call to action. The overall theme of the event was clear: we can all take steps to live more consciously, for the health of ourselves, the planet, and the animals we share it with.

Looking ahead, I’m confident ZeGeVege will continue to grow and inspire. I mean, if you’re in the business of spreading good vibes and great food, how can you not?

Until next year, Zagreb! Keep the plant-based passion alive!