Bauska is one of the fishing capitals for vimba bream, which is why on 22 April, for the fifth time, the right bank of the Mūsa River (Krasta iela by the Bauska stadium) will host an educational event for the whole family – the 'Vimbu svētki' – featuring live music, the taste of smoked vimba, the Good Will fishing competition, and educational activities about nature conservation.

To lure the most impressive catch, the participants of the Good Will fishing competition will start the day earliest on 22 April, with registration open from 7.30 to 9.00. The competition runs from 8.00 to 14.00. Since the festival's inception, the competition has been organised with the aim of encouraging residents to participate in creating the celebration and promoting good will, as the catch is prepared and smoked on-site and offered to visitors in exchange for a donation. This year, the tastiest vimba, prepared according to a recipe developed specifically for Bauska, will be cooked by chef Atis Zgirskis alongside his apprentices, while the “Abas” smokehouse will operate mobile smokers from sunrise. On 22 April, we will continue the partnership started last year with the “Laiks Jauniešiem” association, inviting festival visitors to exchange a vimba voucher for a donation, which can then be swapped for a freshly smoked vimba. All proceeds will be used to support those affected by the war in Ukraine. Participants are invited to read the rules of the Good Will fishing competition here: https://ej.uz/vs-nolikums-2023

While fishing enthusiasts enjoy their sport, other festival-goers are welcome to the riverside from 11.00 to enjoy a broad programme – performances by well-known Latvian musicians, educational nature conservation activities, creative pursuits, goods from local producers and artisans at the market, and more. At 13.00, the turbo-folk orchestra “Oranžās Brīvdienas” will take to the festival stage, and the event will conclude at 15.20 with a performance by the group “Dzelzs Vilks”, greeting the spring sun. Throughout the day, Roberts Gobziņš will traditionally entertain listeners with the best vimba rhythms, while the knowledgeable nature enthusiast and event spokesperson Māris Olte will provide updates on the fishing industry, serving as an essential part of the festival.

At 12.00, the festival stage will be taken over by mascot animals inviting younger nature lovers to participate in the interactive play programme “Academy of Miracles and Joy”. Younger festival-goers will also have the chance to visit the “Rabbit Town” farmstead, ride the specially created vimba carousel, and challenge their family or friends to a match of large-format wooden games.

This year, the nature conservation programme of the “Vimbu svētki” will cover a diverse range of topics – visitors will have the opportunity to learn about both water inhabitants and those that have found their home a little further from the riverbank. Researchers from the scientific institute “BIOR” will be available to discuss fish life, protection, and research, while representatives of the “Makšķerēšanas karte” (Fishing Card) will offer visitors a chance to test their knowledge of different fish species. The Nature Conservation Agency, in collaboration with the Ķemeri National Park nature centre “Ķemeri”, will host all curious minds in their mobile classroom bus. Cūkmens, the clean nature mascot of “Latvijas valsts meži”, will also be visiting the event. Additionally, the festival will feature activities by the Latvian Ornithological Society – a birdwatching walk with Ieva Segliņa and a birdhouse-building workshop with Ingmārs Līdaka. To participate in the Bird Day activities, prior registration is required: https://ej.uz/putnu-dienas-Bauska-2023

At the Art House, alongside artist Laura Matilde-Ikerta, visitors will create wind chimes and other environmental objects from keys and other “second life” materials, which are planned to be exhibited in the city later. Preparing for active recreation in nature even after the festival, a kite-making workshop will operate on-site, where instructors will provide tips and practical skills for successfully launching kites into the skies. Meanwhile, those with green fingers will be able to plant seeds of various herbs in pots at a stylised greenhouse station, which they can later grow on their own windowsills at home.

At 15.00, the most successful vimba lure-experts will be awarded valuable prizes from the festival supporter, shopping centre “Līga”. Each winner will also receive a special “Vimbu svētki” statuette. Prizes will be awarded in six categories: I heaviest vimba, II heaviest vimba, III heaviest vimba, youngest participant, oldest participant, and the fishing champion. The Good Will fishing prize fund will be further supplemented by gifts from “Bauskas Alus” and “Oak’A BBQ”.

Please note that there will be traffic restrictions during the festival. From 09.00 on 21 April until 19.30 on 22 April, vehicle traffic will not be possible on the section of Krasta iela along the Bauska City Stadium. On 22 April, from 5.30 to 19.30, Krasta iela will be closed in the section from Sporta iela to Skolas iela.

We ask city guests to leave their cars in the parking lot opposite the Bauska City Stadium (Pilskalna iela 26). Meanwhile, we encourage local residents to be nature-friendly and walk to the festival venue.

For the latest updates and news, we invite you to follow the “Vimbu svētki” social media profiles: https://www.facebook.com/vimbusvetki and https://www.instagram.com/vimbu.svetki/