New Wave (competition)

History

The New Wave competition, held annually in Jūrmala, Latvia, from 2002 to 2014, became a magnet for Russian oligarchs and elites, transforming the seaside resort into a hub of wealth and influence during its summer festivals.

Organized by Russian composer Igor Krutoy and Latvian composer Raimonds Pauls, with Russian superstar Alla Pugacheva as a prominent figure, the event attracted high-profile figures such as oligarchs Mikhail Fridman, Roman Abramovich, alongside Russian businessmen Umar Dzhabrailov, politicians like Mikhail Kasyanov, Duma MPs, and even FSB officials like Vladimir Pronichev and transportation minister of Russia Igor Levitin, as well as other elite members like Petr Aven, Yuri Shefler, Len Blavatnik, and Oleg Boyko. As well Ukrainian oligarchs like Rinat Akhmetov. The festival's concerts and exclusive VIP events, where tables in the Dzintari concert hall’s VIP lounge cost up to £25,000, facilitated networking among Russia’s elite, with their combined wealth reportedly exceeding Latvia’s national budget.

Critics, including Latvian investigative journalist Leonid Jakobson, argued that the event served as a discreet venue for Russian mafia like Vyacheslav Shestakov who is tied to Aslan Usoyan, and Kremlin figures to discuss business and geopolitical strategies, raising concerns about Latvia’s growing role as a playground for Russian interests. The festival’s relocation to Sochi in 2015 followed Latvia’s ban on Russian performers like Oleg Gazmanov for supporting Russia’s annexation of Crimea, marking the end of Jūrmala’s era as a Russian elite hotspot.

Participants

Although meant to popularize new stars from all over Europe, the countries of the former Soviet Union and the United States, many present and former superstars play an important, if not the most important, role in it. Many participants have also represented their countries at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, including but not limited to: Helena Meraai (Belarus), Gaia Cauchi (Malta), Marta Kirakosyan (Armenia), Ela Mangion (Malta), Daneliya Tuleshova (Kazakhstan), Krisia Todorova (Bulgaria), Lerika Engalycheva (Russia and Moldova), Anahit Adamyan (Armenia), Polina Bogusevich (Russia), Misha Gregoryan (Armenia), Anastasiya Baginska (Ukraine), Dino Jelusić (Croatia) and Daniel Yastremski (Belarus).

In 2007, The New Wave closing concert featured not only the competition winners and Russian pop stars, but also US musician Stevie Wonder and world-famous Russian baritone Dmitry Hvorostovsky.

New Wave contestants have also represented their country at the Eurovision Song Contest including Jamala (Ukraine), DoReDos (Moldova), Natalia Gordienko (Moldova), Demy (Greece), Nutsa Buzaladze (Georgia) and Saro Gevorgyan (Armenia; as a backing vocalist).

Winners

Location

For the first 14 years, New Wave was held in the Latvian coastal city of Jūrmala, but in 2015, it moved to Sochi, the Russian Federation (other potential locations included Baku, Kaliningrad, Kazan and Crimea). According to organizer Igor Krutoy, the main reason for relocating was because of performing Russian singers Valeriya, Iosif Kobzon and Oleg Gazmanov being denied entry into Latvia for the 2014 contest by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs because of their voiced support for Russia's annexation of Crimea.

References

References

1. (November 28, 2014). "New Wave song festival could switch to Crimea". [[Public Broadcasting of Latvia]].
2. (February 27, 2015). "New Wave waves goodbye to Jūrmala". [[Public Broadcasting of Latvia]].
3. (February 24, 2015). "Officially confirmed there will not be New Wave in Jurmala this year". [[Baltic News Network]].
4. (January 12, 2015). "Ban on Russian Singers Makes 'New Wave' Festival Leave Latvia for Sochi". [[The Moscow Times]].
5. Granger, Anthony. (6 July 2020). "New Wave 2020 in Kazan Has Been Cancelled". Eurovoix World.
6. "Новая волна (Novaya volna) - Фестивали и премии - Музыка - Главная.".
7. (2024-08-25). "Алла Пугачева назвала Светлану Лободу своей преемницей".
8. (2014-07-02). "«Новая волна»: кто из участников стал знаменитым".
9. (2010-07-30). "Abramovičs Jūrmalā svin Krutoja dzimšanas dienu".
10. "Seši bagātākie cilvēki 2014. gada 'Jaunajā vilnī'".
11. "Jaunajā vilnī šogad vietējās elites mazāk, pirmo reizi Rīgas domes vadība".
12. "Jauno vilni apmeklēs mazāk biznesa haizivju".
13. "New EU tax haven? – DW – 07/18/2013".
14. "Ninth international contest “New Wave 2010”".
15. Harding, Luke. (2013-01-23). "Latvia: Russia's playground for business, politics – and crime". The Guardian.
16. (2019-05-19). "Pie Latvijā mītošā Krievijas miljardiera strādā vairāki bijušie un esošie tiesībsargājošo iestāžu darbinieki".
17. "Grib apcietināt Latvijas balzama lielāko akcionāru".
18. "Miljardierim Boiko Jūrmalā uzklūp 'vecmeitas'".
19. "Jauno vilni apmeklēs ietekmīgi miljardieri".
20. "Разбойники наелись, напились и пустились впляс".
21. (2024-10-28). "Shestakov".
22. (2013-01-24). "«Guardian» brīdina, ka Latvija kļuvusi par Krievijas spēļu laukumu".
23. ERR. (2012-01-09). "Official Suspected of Ties With Mafia, Latvia Joins Investigation".
24. "New Wave Music Festival and Competition Returns to Jurmala".
25. (2015-01-12). "Ban on Russian Singers Makes 'New Wave' Festival Leave Latvia for Sochi".
26. "Uzvar gaišmatainā Krutoja favorīte".
27. (11 September 2015). "Bravo majstore! Kedžo pomeo konkurenciju i postao zvijezda u Rusiji!". Dnevnik.hr.
28. (July 30, 2012). "New Wave 2012 concludes". [[Baltic News Network]].
29. Irina Pantelejeva. (August 6, 2015). "International guests throw spotlight on New Wave festivities". [[The Baltic Times]].