Catfish Wake Festival

May is approaching - the month of snow-white apple orchards in bloom, pink tulips in full bloom and lush green leaves playing in the warm spring breeze. Koknese associate May with the Festival of the Waking of Catfish. After a long winter in the depths of the river, the Daugava's greatest inhabitant is awakened with parties and activities throughout the day. This year, the traditional festival will take place on 14 May.

The bustle will start early in the morning with the Spring Fair on Parka Street, Blaumaņa Street and Koknese Park. In the square by the fountain "Fauna's Head" and the sculpture "For Eternity", the main hero of the festival, Catfish, will be awakened with the sounds of music and smooth dance steps by the region's amateur groups.

The traditional Tweed Ride, or a parade of retro costumes and bicycles, will be staged at 5 Blaumaņa Street. From 10 o'clock onwards, the Tweed Ride registration, a vintage and book swap, a photo corner, creative workshops and a historical scene play with improviser Kaspars Brūveli will take place in the atmosphere of antiquity. 
The tweed ride will start at 12 noon in Blaumans' Courtyard and end at the ruins of Koknese Medieval Castle, where participants will be awarded and photographed.

The Koknese Medieval Castle Ruins will be bustling with festivities throughout the day. Virtual reality adventures will be offered by the team of "Jinns" Ltd., who have also prepared a novelty - a stylised, historical tour of Koknese Castle "Journey in Time and Space". The Moku Chamber will be open for viewing, while those who enjoy the spring breeze will be able to go on boat and catamaran trips on the Daugava and the Pērse. Hunger will be quenched with "Olala! Cafe Kokenhusen", offering pancakes, quail delicacies and other goodies.

At 14, the vocal ensembles of the Aizkraukle region will join in song at the Koknese Lutheran Church. At 15, the car orienteering competition "Drive to wake up Koknese Sam!"  This year it will take place for the first time. Participation in the race is only possible with prior registration until 11 May. The award ceremony will take place at 20.30 in the forecourt of the medieval castle ruins in Koknese.

To honour and cheer the birthday boy Catfish, Mārcis Auziņš will perform a concert lecture "The Great Flow" at 19.00 in the ruins of Koknese Medieval Castle. The long-awaited green ball with Marika and Druvis will be held at the Koknese Stage at 22:00.