Singer Laima Vaikule has voiced frustration that her festival is perceived as overly Russian, while also sharing details about learning the language with Andrey Makarevich and inviting Yuri Shevchuk to perform at the event.
Festival organizer and singer Laima Vaikule has addressed recurring perceptions surrounding her summer event. As preparations unfold for what will mark the festival’s tenth anniversary, the singer spoke openly about the political framing and public misunderstandings that have followed the gathering.
Addressing Festival Perceptions and the Anti-War Stance
Vaikule expressed clear exasperation over claims that her festival leans too heavily toward Russian culture, noting that the event was originally conceived to keep local musicians performing domestically rather than seeking work abroad.
The singer emphasized that since the outbreak of the war, her platform has maintained an explicit anti-war stance. Every artist performing in Russian at the festival is united against the conflict, and Vaikule voiced a strong desire for those messages of protest to be properly heard by audiences.
Language Lessons and Festival Invitations
Beyond the festival’s political backdrop, Vaikule discussed her personal life in an interview with the YouTube channel “I Gryanul Grem”, revealing that she has taken up serious study of the Russian language with the help of musician Andrey Makarevich, who left Russia.
The singer explained that while she speaks the language comfortably, it remains her second language, leaving certain nuances and vocabulary unfamiliar. She noted with irony that she began this formal study precisely when the language had fallen out of fashion.
Russian language is no longer fashionable, and I am starting to learn it thanks to Andrey. I seem to speak well, but this is not my native language. Laima Vaikule, via Pravda
In the same conversation reported by Pravda, Vaikule touched on casting efforts for the Rendezvous festival. Organizers extended an invitation to Yuri Shevchuk, leader of the DDT rock band, asking him to join the lineup.
While Shevchuk is currently unable to travel to Latvia for a personal visit or tour appearances, Vaikule indicated she remains hopeful that the musician will eventually make an appearance at her festival in future iterations.
Reflecting on Jūrmala’s Musical History
Vaikule’s connection to Jūrmala’s performance scene runs deep, tracing back to her early career at the Jūras Pērle restaurant in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She recently attended the opening of a new establishment bearing the historic name, serving as an honored guest.
Reflecting on those formative years, Vaikule recalled that the original venue served as a premier entertainment hub for high-profile politicians, affluent patrons, and international musicians across Latvia. Stepping back into the newly revived space brought back memories of an era when the location anchored the region’s nightlife.