Varėna to host 23rd Lithuanian Mushroom Championship

The 23rd Lithuanian Mushroom Championship is set to take place in the village of Žiūrai, located near the Ūla River in the Varėna district. The event is part of the International Mushroom Festival, a major cultural phenomenon in the Dzūkija region that attracts tens of thousands of visitors from Lithuania and abroad.

Scheduled for mid-September, the festivities will feature a forest-themed program including artists, craftsmen, and musicians. For the championship, participating teams will begin registration at 6:30 AM, followed by a traditional breakfast before heading into the forest at 8:00 AM. The primary trophy, the ‘Grybautojas’ (Mushroom Picker) prize, is sponsored by the Mayor of Varėna District, Algis Kašeta. Beyond the weight of the harvest, the competition emphasizes respect for nature, creativity, and community spirit.