20. April, 2024
Bauska is one of the Latvian fishing capitals, so on 20 April the sixth "Vimbu Festival" will take place on the right bank of the Mūsa River (Krasta Street near Bauska Stadium) with live music, the smell of smoked vimba, goodwill fishing competitions and other activities. This year, visitors will be invited to focus on water pollution and its reduction through educational activities, and the musician Arturs Gruzdiņš with his concert programme "Safety Festival", the musical group "Gapoljeri" and the band "Kautkaili" will take to the festival stage.
According to environmental experts, only 8% of rivers in the Lielupe river basin district are of good ecological quality, so this festival will explore with knowledgeable experts the consequences of water pollution, how it reaches fish and what can be done to ensure clean drinking water is available in every home?
"I have the good fortune or bad fortune to wade through rivers now and then because it's a job. Sometimes I even go fishing. Over the years I have seen this happen and it is rare that I feel completely good after running along a riverbank because the waste does not slip past me unnoticed. It doesn't get any less, just more colourful and varied. I don't know how many pennies I have taken from the banks of the Mūsa and how many bags I have left after fishing on other Latvian rivers, but it feels pretty hopeless. Many people talk about it, some people understand and even pick up after themselves, some even pick up after others, but still nothing changes.
To attract the most valuable catches, the earliest time of the day will be from 10:00 to 17:00. The participants of the Goodwill Fishing Contest, who last year numbered 95 anglers on the banks of the Mūsa River, will start the day at 07:30. Please note that registration for the competition will take place on the day before the start. To register, participants must bring a valid fishing, crayfish and underwater hunting card, as well as a personal identification document (ID card or passport). Each year, the Goodwill Fishing Competition awards prizes in six categories: the three most expensive wimba lures, the oldest and youngest participants, and the most successful lady, or "Cops' Mistress".
While fishing enthusiasts will be enjoying the fun of fishing, other festival-goers will be able to enjoy performances by well-known Latvian musicians from 11:00, educational games, creative activities, shopping at the home producers' market and more. This year, the witty musical group "Gapoljeri" and the nostalgic pop group "Kautkaili" will take to the festival stage, while younger visitors will be encouraged by musician Arturs Gruzdiņš with his concert programme "Safety Festival".
Video preview of the 2023 Festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rohxTG50dyY
For the latest news and updates, please follow "Vimbu Festival" on its social media profiles - https://www.facebook.com/vimbusvetki and https://www.instagram.com/vimbu.svetki/, as well as on its website https://kultura.bauska.lv/.