Jagnjijada in Pirot | Tourist Calendar of Serbia

Jagnjijada is a gastronomic event held every spring in the village of Krupac near Pirot. Given that sheep farming is highly significant in these regions, Pirot lamb is considered the most delicious, along with other products made from this animal.

As lamb is often a favorite dish on Serbian tables, competitions for preparing the best lamb are held in various parts of the country, including the village with the highest number of sheep in the Pirot area. The first event was actually held in the city itself in 2010 and then moved to Krupac.

This one-day event usually takes place in late April or early May. On this occasion, enthusiasts of lamb preparation gather in Krupac, as well as those who want to taste this specialty. They say that lamb from the Stara Planina region is the best, so this event is a perfect opportunity to experience it. On the day of the event, participants gather early in the morning to start the preparation, and the official competition begins at noon, when the aroma of roasting spreads along the Nišava River, where it takes place.

However, during this event, lamb is not only prepared on a spit but also under a bell-shaped lid and on a "vurnja" (a special cooking device). In addition to meat, visitors to Jagnjijada can try other local specialties. Sheep have been raised in the vicinity of Pirot since ancient times, and thus the most famous local products are made from sheep. Alongside Stara Planina lamb, there is the widely renowned sheep cheese from Pirot, as well as Pirot kilim rugs made from sheep's wool.

It should be noted that as much as 80 percent of Pirot's livestock breeders are already in the organic production system, aiming to utilize all the natural resources offered by the Stara Planina mountain and to stimulate the demand and better prices for organic products in the market. However, the number of sheep is decreasing in these regions. According to the census from 2012, there were around 18,000 sheep, while in 2020 there were around 11,000. As farms report, the job is difficult, and profits are shrinking. That is precisely why the goal of this event is to promote and preserve livestock farming, with a focus on sheep farming, as well as other values of Pirot.

According to the participants, the main motive for the competition is socializing while preparing and tasting food. As it usually goes, besides the dishes, drinks and music are also essential. For a good lamb dish, the selection of meat is not the only important factor, but also the choice of spices, and each chef has their winning combination.

The organizers of the event are the Local Community of Krupac and the Tourist Organization of Pirot.

This year's Jagnjada is scheduled to take place on April 29th and 30th, and more details can be obtained through local media outlets.