Stories of Pabaži Fishermen

On May 17, during the European Museum Night 2025, visitors are welcome at the Saulkrasti Fishermen's Settlement, where the Museum Night event “Stories of Pabaži Fishermen” will take place.

“You can make a museum when there are no more fishermen,” say the fishermen who inhabit the Saulkrasti Fishermen's Settlement: they store their fishing gear and boats here, observe the sea, and decide when it's the right time to go fishing. Upon returning to shore, they divide the catch among themselves, clean and smoke the fish for their own needs, and, as much as the harsh work of a fisherman allows, welcome anyone who wishes to learn about coastal fishing.

However, on May 17, the Saulkrasti Fishermen's Settlement will be open for a special moment – a revelation of the real life of fishermen, which changes in power and time have not driven into a museum.

The first known representative of the sea plower dynasty, named Andrievs, mentioned in archival documents in 1744, is recorded as a manor fisherman in the Pabaži manor records. This fishing lineage has not changed its place of residence for the last 300 years, living right here, in the current vicinity of Saulkrasti. Andrievs’ descendants have been fishing on the coast of Saulkrasti Pabaži for nine generations, gathering around them both those whose ancestors have long been engaged in fishing and those enthusiasts who tried their hand at pulling nets for the first time last summer.

If you wish to learn many interesting things about the history of fishing on the Vidzeme coast, in Pabaži, also known as Katrīnbāde, and what it means, for example, to stand at the tail of a trap, pull a net, tie knots, what is a net community, mesh, stakes, and how the nets for smelt and herring differ, “Stories of Pabaži Fishermen” will be the right time and place to find out.
We look forward to seeing you on May 17 from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Saulkrasti Fishermen's Settlement, Katrīnbāde Street 1, Saulkrasti!

A café will be open where guests can enjoy fish dishes and experience the rich flavors of the coast. The musical atmosphere during the event will be provided by DJ and music journalist Uldis Rudaks.

Entrance is free.