Amazing, feminine, fantastically talented and strong-willed singer Laima Vaikule has been on stage for decades. But a wonderful sense of style and natural beauty help this woman look breathtaking at her age. And this is despite the numerous troubles and trials that mischievous fate has come up with along the way.
About the childhood and youth of a stage star
Laima Stanislavovna Vaikule was born in 1954 in the Latvian town of Cesis. The girl grew up in a very ordinary family, her father was a simple worker, and her mother worked as a saleswoman from her youth, but gradually climbed the career ladder and took the position of store director. My parents had nothing to do with music, but my grandmother sang in the church choir. Perhaps it was from her grandmother that Laima inherited the talent of a singer and became eager to devote herself to music.
Little Laima went to school in Riga - the family moved there when she was three years old. The first teacher examined the student’s musical talent - it was she who strongly recommended that the parents buy a piano and send their daughter to learn music literacy. True, the piano never appeared in the house - the tiny apartment was too cramped for a large musical instrument. And Laima herself did not plan to be an artist at all. She dreamed of becoming a doctor.
The girl grew up willful, loved active games and preferred the company of boys in the yard. Classic girly games were not Laima's cup of tea. But learning was very easy for her and in the first years only A’s could be seen in the student’s diary. Studying faded into the background at that moment when the future star became interested in creativity.
The creative path of Laima Vaikule
Despite her first childhood dreams of becoming a doctor and the complete rejection of a career as an artist, the girl’s love for creativity came at the age of 12. Laima performed at a competition for young singers and received her first diploma in the musical field. Immediately after the successful performance, the girl was offered to perform with the group.
At the age of 15, Vaikule entered medical school - this was insisted on by practical parents who did not take his passion for the stage seriously. But in parallel with her studies at the school, Laima sings, she is invited to the Riga Radio and Television Orchestra. The director of the orchestra, Raimond Pauls, chooses the young singer as a soloist.
Then for several years the girl worked at Juras Perle, a well-known variety show in Latvia. At first she was an artist in a dance group, but she was quickly noticed and began to receive solo parts.
The singer performed Latvian songs with the Laima ensemble. Among them is the composition “Verococo” by Raymond Pauls, which listeners may know from the Russian version performed by Valery Leontyev.
Vaikule’s career gradually gained momentum, so the girl decided to get a specialized education. In 1984 she graduated from the directing department of GITIS. In the mid-80s, real popularity came to her, she prepared solo concerts on Moscow stages, and received significant awards at international competitions.
By the way, Vaikule herself was involved in preparing the concert numbers. And her performances were distinguished by professionalism and originality. Directing education helped in this - the singer sees each song in its entirety and understands down to the smallest detail what the plot should be, what costumes to choose and how to present the composition on stage.
Engines of a successful career
The change in Laima Vaikule’s image is another feature that attracts viewers. The girl has always been bright, but her amazing sense of style, ability to move, her natural charm and unusual beauty only emphasize the impressions of her performances. How many images has the Latvian singer managed to change during her career? She was a vamp, a gentle diva, portrayed as an Americanized star and appeared on stage in eccentric men's costumes. And in any guise the public idolized her!
Since 1989, Laima has been invited to record in America, she tours abroad a lot, and famous Russian composers pay attention to her. In the early 90s, Vaikule began collaborating with Igor Krutoy and Ilya Reznik. Their amazing songs help the singer move forward.
Even a serious illness suffered in 1991 did not break the diva. The singer says that at that moment the religion she turned to helped her in many ways. In particular, during the period of serious illness, Lyma realized that a person can only become purer through suffering.
According to reviews of people who know the singer closely, she is a kind, smart, fantastically talented person. But working with her is difficult, because the singer is a workaholic and very demanding of those around her. She plunges headlong into work and becomes simply uncontrollable. But with her charming voice and irrepressible energy, all this is easy to forgive.
What is known about your personal life?
There is not much information about the singer Laima Vaikule, her personal information. The tabloids do not shout about numerous men, do not report on the joyful moments of meetings and sad moments of parting with the next knight of the heart. This is because Laima herself does not like to bring her life to public discussion. And the life of a star cannot be called eventful, like that of many modern stars. But fans are eager to know everything about their idols, so Vaikule’s personal life did not remain a secret behind seven seals.
The singer is married to Andrei Latkovsky, the former bass player of the group and the singer’s current producer. The couple have known each other since 1970, but they did not immediately become a family. At first they were connected exclusively by a working relationship, and gradually sympathy arose. After another meeting and working together in Leningrad, a romance began between the young people, and since 1978 they have been living in a civil marriage.
Andrey became the only man in Laima for many years of his life. The couple experienced joyful and sad moments together, which only brought them together. There are no children in the Latkovsky-Vaikule family.
Born on March 31, 1954 in the city of Cesis, Latvian SSR. Father - Stanislav Vaikulis, was a production worker. Mother - Yanina, worked as a saleswoman. Laima has two older sisters (one half-sister and one full-sister) and an older half-brother. When the future star was three years old, her whole family moved to live in Riga.
At school, Laima was an excellent student. After 8th grade, the future singer entered medical school. At the same time, she took lessons from singer Leonid Zahodnik. At the age of 15, Laima became a soloist of the Riga Radio and Television Orchestra under the direction of Raimonds Pauls.
Since 1978, the singer has been living in a de facto marriage with producer Andrei Latkovsky, whom she met in 1970 in Riga.
Laima Vaikule: “Andrey from the very beginning began to take care of me, looked after me, protected me. He did not allow the girls from the ballet to go to restaurants, where they were often invited after the concert: “This company is not for you. You’re a singer, there’s no point in sitting in smoky bars!”
Quote taken from the magazine “Caravan of Stories Collection”, No. 05 (01.10.2009)
In 1979, Vaikule began performing in the variety show “Juras Perle” in Jurmala. In 1985, she made her debut on Central Television - she appeared in “New Year’s Light” with the song “Amanitas”.
Laima Vaikule: “Yes, Juras Perle was special for me, the best place, like Carnegie Hall in America. Here I truly fell in love with my profession, began to earn a lot, and gained popularity. I lived as if in one breath. Every evening I got behind the wheel, and Andrey and I raced from Riga to Jurmala along the best highway in the Union, and the setting sun filled the interior of the car with orange waves. In the morning we returned home, and this time the sunrise was already blinding our eyes.”
In 1984, Laima entered GITIS in the directing department, where she graduated in 1989. In addition to the Western repertoire and a number of modern songs, Laima began performing Latvian songs, accompanied by an instrumental ensemble.
Laima Vaikule: “After studying at GITIS, I felt that I was ready to create my own team. I turned to Raymond Pauls for help. He wrote a petition to the cultural department asking to give me such an opportunity, but they refused.”
Quote taken from the magazine “Caravan Collection”, No. 05 (01.10.2009)
In 1986, the famous songwriter Ilya Reznik invited Laima to record a new song “Night Fire” for the radio, with which the singer appeared not only on the radio, but also on the TV show “Song-86”.
In 1987, Vaikule recorded the song “It’s not evening yet” in her original interpretation.
In 1988, she met American producer Stan Cornelius in Moscow and made such an impression on the overseas guest that a few months later he invited her to work in the States.
In 1989, Laima left for the USA, where she spent 7 months and recorded songs in Michael Sambello's studio.
In 1990, the singer signed a contract with GRP/MCA Records, and also collaborated a lot with composer Raymond Pauls.
In 1993, the star opened the Laima-Lux hairdressing salon in the center of Riga.
Laima Vaikule is a regular guest at the New Wave music competition, as well as on radio and television, and at holiday concerts. The singer is regularly invited to the jury of the KVN festival “Voting KiViN”, which is held annually in Jurmala.
Laima Vaikule recorded the albums: “Vernissage” (1987), “I’m Praying for You” (1992), “Laima Tango” (1993), “Darling, Farewell!” (1994), “I went out into Piccadilly” (1996), “Viss nak un aiziet” (1996), “Latin Quarter” (1998), “Mirror” (1999), “Names for All Seasons” (2002), “ What is the pianist playing about? (2005), “New Songs” (2011).
She starred in the films “Inspector Gull” (1979), “The Rico Brothers” (1980), “Dancing on the Roof” (1985), In the Russian Style (1991), “Old Songs about the Main 2” (1997), “Military Field romance" (1998), "Women's Happiness" (2001), "The Snow Queen" (2003), "House by the Salt Lake" (2004), "A Very New Year's Movie, or Night at the Museum" (2007), "Little Red Riding Hood" (2009) and others.
In 2013, Laima Vaikule released a new album “Atkal Mājās”.
Awards
▪ Main prize at the International Pop Song Competition “Bratislava Lyra” (1987)
▪ Prince of Monaco Special Prize at the World Music Awards (1993)
▪ Order of Friendship (2011)
At school, Laima was an excellent student. After 8th grade, the future singer entered medical school. At the same time, she took lessons from singer Leonid Zahodnik. At the age of 15, Laima became a soloist of the Riga Radio and Television Orchestra under the direction of Raimonds Pauls.
Since 1978, the singer has been living in a de facto marriage with producer Andrei Latkovsky, whom she met in 1970 in Riga.
Laima Vaikule: “Andrey from the very beginning began to take care of me, looked after me, protected me. He did not allow the girls from the ballet to go to restaurants, where they were often invited after the concert: “This company is not for you. You’re a singer, there’s no point in sitting in smoky bars!”
Quote taken from the magazine “Caravan of Stories Collection”, No. 05 (01.10.2009)
In 1979, Vaikule began performing in the variety show “Juras Perle” in Jurmala. In 1985, she made her debut on Central Television - she appeared in “New Year’s Light” with the song “Amanitas”.
Laima Vaikule: “Yes, Juras Perle was special for me, the best place, like Carnegie Hall in America. Here I truly fell in love with my profession, began to earn a lot, and gained popularity. I lived as if
She made many mistakes that she still cannot forgive herself to this day: she hung out with bad company, thoughtlessly left maestro Raymond Pauls, who was taking care of her, and had several abortions. But Vaikule was not mistaken about the most important thing: she lived her whole life with her beloved man, doing what she knows best in the world.
From fear to protest
Laima was born into an ordinary working-class family, where her parents worked hard to feed their four children. When the girl grew up a little, she was sent to kindergarten for five days: they dropped her off on Monday and picked her up on Friday. The fear that she would never see her mother again became her most important impression of those years.
On weekends, Laima desperately demanded parental love and attention, and on weekdays she learned to defend her interests in front of teachers and other children.
The character tempered in this way played a role in adolescence: Laima became independent and independent. At the age of 11, she performed on stage for the first time, where she was noticed by maestro Zahodnik, who saw talent in the girl. Vocal lessons began, in parallel with which Vaikule entered medical school - she still had no intention of becoming a singer.
When she turned 15, Zahodnik took the student to an audition with Raymond Pauls.
“The visitor acted wisely. Without seeing Pauls, I was singing along as if nothing had happened in the dark Philharmonic hall, and suddenly a man came up to me from behind, patted me on the shoulder and said: “Baby, I’ll take you.” This was Raymond,” Laima recalled their first meeting.
Despite lessons and performances, music then occupied far from the main place in her life. Sixteen-year-old Laima finally realized what boys liked - and began having affairs with several gentlemen at once. Together with his friend Ruta, they met a group of older girls.
They taught them to drink port wine in the entrance, sometimes they were joined by guys - “cool macho men” who wanted to impress the girls.
When Lyma vomited in the morning for several days in a row, she sounded the alarm. Faithful Ruta kept her secret and helped her find the doctor who performed the abortion. Laima made the right conclusions (the bad company was over), but even now she cannot forgive herself for this act.
“I view abortion as murder. After all, the person inside you is already alive. I didn’t understand it then, I didn’t feel it. What I did is my enduring mental torment, a heavy cross that I have to bear to the end...” says the singer.
After graduating from medical school, Laima did not work even a day in her specialty - she was drawn into the scene.
Russian Madonna
Raymond Pauls offered her a place in his ensemble, but young Laima was tempted by another offer: to travel around the Caucasus with concerts from the Adjarian Philharmonic. Pauls was refused, which she very soon regretted. Moving from one city to another, the car with the musicians got into an accident, the drivers got into a fight, which ended in a shootout.
Laima has done some more work on her mistakes: it is better to be one of several soloists in the team of the reliable Pauls than the only one in an unreliable company.
The offer of her friend bass guitarist Andrei Latkovsky to work as a singer in the Leningrad “Intourist” seemed reliable to her. Having lived in Latvia all her life, she wanted to see the northern capital of the Union with her own eyes - and agreed. In Leningrad, Andrei met her and began to take care of her: he did not allow her to relax in the company of girls from the backup dancers (“There is no point in sitting in smoky bars!”), he took her to see the bridges being raised, and helped with advice.
They fell in love with each other. The collaboration, which began more than forty years ago, grew into a lifelong feeling that never ended in marriage. Laima does not allow Andrey to be called her husband: he is a friend, a partner with whom she feels good and comfortable.
“Andrey and I are similar. In a sense, we raised each other, molded each other for ourselves, so no matter what differences we have, they are not fatal. We learned to adjust to one another,” admits Laima.
Returning from Leningrad, they told their parents that they would live together, and immediately went on a cruise to work. Laima’s career developed quickly: the variety show “Juras Perle”, her own ensemble “Lima”, studying at GITIS - she turned from an amateur into a professional.
Vaikule’s finest hour was the Soviet-Italian concert of pop stars, at which she sang the song “Vernissage” in a duet with Valery Leontyev.
Laima’s bright, unusual style of performance was also noticed abroad. In the early 90s, she went to record a disc in the USA, where she was dubbed the “Russian Madonna.” But in America she had no time for music.
Verdict and victory
Once in the USA, Lyma decided to get examined at a well-known clinic and, without knowing it, saved her life. Doctors discovered the singer had breast cancer and honestly said that they could not give guarantees even after the tumor was removed.
Laima was angry at the whole world: it seemed to her that she was standing on one bank, and everyone else, even her closest ones, was on the other, and there was an insurmountable gap between them.
“My hatred did not extend only to Andrey. Because his pain was equal to mine. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “If everything is hopeless, we’ll just get in the car with you, speed up and crash into the wall.”
Fortunately, it didn’t come to that - the operation was successful. For the next ten years, she waited in horror for the next examination, each time preparing for the worst. The experience made Laima turn to religion and treat people with great attention.
Laima Stanislavovna Vaikule- famous Soviet and Latvian pop singer and actress. People's Artist of Latvia (1995), singing voice - contralto. She is known for such songs as “Vernisage”, “It’s Not Evening Yet”, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Sherlock Holmes”.
The early years and education of Laima Vaikule
In Laima Vaikule’s family, except for her grandmother, who sang in the church choir, no one had anything to do with music.
Father - Stanislav Vaikulis- was a worker.
His mother, Yanina, worked as a saleswoman and later became the director of a large store.
Laima Vaikule has an older half-sister and a brother, and one sister.
When Laima was three years old, the family moved to Riga.
Laima Vaikule’s biography on Wikipedia states that, according to the singer’s recollections, she sang almost from the cradle: “In kindergarten, I didn’t like to sleep in the afternoon, and I sang. My parents also asked me to sing when guests came. I sang in a low voice, which was funny, unusual, so I was a Diva.”
But as a child, Vaikule did not intend to be a singer; Laima dreamed of becoming a doctor.
“I was the favorite of the family, but very willful. And she always did only what she considered necessary. Difficult child, terrible. At the age of five, I “punished” my parents: I packed my things and left home. At the same time, the older sister said to her mother: “Do you really believe her?” Where will she go!’ But I still left. Around the corner of the house. My parents went looking for me and, thank God, they quickly found me. And I waited for them and thought: “Why are they looking for so long?” But I’m stubborn, if they hadn’t been found, I would have sat there until the morning!” — Laima Vaikule said in an interview.
In the first grades of school, Laima had straight A's in her subjects, but when the girl became interested in singing, the lessons were forgotten.
At the age of 12, Laima first appeared on stage. Vaikule took part in a competition for young singers, which was held at the cultural center of the Riga VEF plant. At the same time, Laima Vaikule received her diploma and began performing with the group.
Still dreaming of becoming a doctor, Laima Vaikule, after finishing the eighth grade, entered the local medical school.
Creative career of Laima Vaikule
But during her studies, at the age of 15, she became a soloist of the Riga Radio and Television Orchestra, which was directed by Raymond Pauls.
Laima Vaikule's talent was noticed Leonid Zahodnik, who, at the time, was working with Raymond Pauls. The walker sang and provided voices for all the singers from Raymond’s orchestra. Leonid took Vaikule to audition with Pauls. After listening to Laima, the maestro approached her and said, clapping her on the shoulder: “Baby, I’ll take you,” Vaikule recalled.
From that moment on, medical education and the idea of becoming a doctor were over.
Laima Vaikule began performing in the popular variety show “Juras Perle” (translated from Latvian as “Sea Pearl”). At first the singer was in a dance orchestra, but gradually became a soloist in a variety show.
Having decided to improve her education, Laima Vaikule entered GITIS. There she studied directing. In addition to Western material and a lot of modern songs, the singer, together with the Laima ensemble, performed Latvian songs. In particular, Vaikule performed the composition “Verokoko” by Raymond Pauls. Performed a song in Russian Valery Leontyev.
Vaikule’s first album “First Season. The Eighties” is dated 1986 in her biography.
Soon, Laima’s career began to achieve success on an all-Union scale. In the mid-80s of the last century, Vaikule was noticed by a songwriter Ilya Reznik. He invited her to record and present a new song on the radio called “Night Fire.” With this composition, Laima appeared on the radio, as well as on the TV show “Song-86”. In the same year, Laima Vaikule and Valery Leontiev together performed the famous song “Vernissage” (a joint work of Pauls and Reznik) at a Soviet-Italian concert of pop stars.
In 1987, Laima took part in a creative evening with Raymond Pauls. That’s when the entire Soviet Union recognized and fell in love with the singer. True, as Laima Vaikule said, already living in independent Latvia, she does not feel nostalgia for the USSR. And ordinary, benevolent Soviet spectators were attracted to Laima by its “European charm.”
By the way, Laima Vaikule’s attitude towards her Soviet fame and colleagues in show business can be judged by these lines from her biography on the official website. “The name of Laima Vaikule flashed on the musical horizon in the mid-eighties. Unexpected and bright. Everything about the aspiring singer was amazing. She sang differently from everyone else, behaved on stage differently from everyone else, she was unlike anyone else! Laima Vaikule radically stood out from the line of “pop idols” of that time. At that time, in the USSR there was simply no one to compare her with.”
In those years, Laima Vaikule often appeared on television and gained all-Union fame.
Then Vaikule received the Golden Lyre award at the Bratislava Lyre international festival in Czechoslovakia.
While still studying at GITIS, Laima Vaikule prepared her large solo program, which premiered at the Rossiya State Central Concert Hall in 1988.
Soon American producer Stan Cornelius in 1989 he invited Laim Vaikule to the USA. There she worked on the album for 7 months and recorded in the studio Michael Sembello. In the USA, Vaikule took part in the filming of American programs and signed a contract with the famous recording company MCA/GRP. In the same year, a documentary film about Laima Vaikul, which was shot by the Videofilm studio and American filmmakers, was released on American television screens.
The Western press even called Laima the “Russian Madonna,” according to Vaikule’s biography on the Find Out Everything website.
During her career, Laima Vaikule recorded 10 music albums in Latvia and Russia, 20 million of her discs were sold out by fans from Russia, Europe and the USA. At the annual World Music Awards "93" she received a special prize from the Prince of Monaco.
Laima Vaikule also proved herself as an actress. She began acting in films in 1979.
Her first role was as a singer in a bar in the film Inspector Gull. In total, the actress’s filmography includes 13 roles in different films. Laima Vaikule appeared in New Year's films on Russian channels, in particular, in "Old Songs about the Main Thing." Vaikule also played the Snow Queen in the New Year's musical of the same name.
Laima Vaikule was a regular guest at the New Wave music competition. In addition, the singer constantly appears on television and radio, as well as at holiday concerts.
In 2011, Laima Vaikule became a holder of the Russian Order of Friendship for her great contribution to the development and strengthening of Russian-Latvian cultural ties and the popularization of modern Russian musical culture in the Republic of Latvia.
Laima Vaikule was awarded the honorary titles “Honored Artist of the Latvian SSR” (1990) and “People’s Artist of the Latvian Republic” (1995).
Business Laima Vaikule
Laima Vaikule’s income from concerts in Russia and corporate events is not all that the singer earns.
In 1993, Vaikule decided to go into business. Laima became the founder of the perfume and cosmetics company Laima-Lux International.
Personal life of Laima Vaikule
Laima Vaikule lived in a civil marriage with her producer and former bass player of her ensemble Andrey Latkovsky since 1978. A little later, the couple had a modest wedding in Las Vegas.
In 1991, the artist suffered a serious illness. The illness helped her come to faith. Laima Vaikule became an Orthodox Christian.
Laima Vaikule has no children. Show business news reported that Laima Vaikule sacrificed motherhood for the sake of her career, having two abortions. Then Vaikule tried many times to get pregnant, but it didn’t work out. The artist also thought about taking the child from the orphanage, but her confessor dissuaded her.
“I was always sure that I would be the best mother in the world,” said Laima, “it’s in my blood. And there were chances! Twice! But both times the pregnancy ended in abortion. I regret it so much, because I committed murders! Killing my own children... I had to choose between a child and a career, I was just starting to sing, and I had everything ahead of me... Unfortunately, I chose a career. Some time after the second abortion, I decided that it was time to have a child, but all attempts were in vain,” Vaikule was quoted as saying by the Ukrainian channel TSN.
Vaikule’s biography also states that in 2010, at the age of 56, Laima was pregnant using artificial insemination, but suffered a miscarriage.
Laima is a vegetarian for ethical reasons. Laima Vaikule is an active animal defender.
For the last 20 years, the artist has not worn fur and constantly opposes circuses with trained animals.
In the biography on the official website of Laima Vaikule, the singer is rarely satisfied with herself, often changes her home, hairstyle, and clothing style.
Scandal with Crimea
Singer Laima Vaikule honestly answered the question about the possibility of her performing on the Crimean peninsula. The singer gave a mini-interview before the concert in Odessa.
Vaikule replied that she follows political events in the world and the former CIS, so she will not conduct provocative conversations, much less discuss topics in which she is not an expert.
The journalist also asked whether Vaikule would give a concert in Crimea.
“I understand perfectly what you are asking me. In general, I am far from politics, but regarding Crimea I can say unequivocally - I will not go there, no matter what fee they offer me,” Vaikule answered.
“We are not allowed, we Europeans,” she added.
This mini-interview caused a great resonance in Russia. For example, the Free Press reported that Joseph Prigogine- a well-known Russian producer - believes that singer Laima Vaikule could have offended many of her fans with her statement about her reluctance to go to Crimea under any pretext. Therefore, in his opinion, she should no longer perform in Russia.
Prigozhin also recalled that the Laima Vaikule Rendezvous festival was organized instead of the New Wave competition, which was moved to Sochi due to the fact that some Russian stars were banned from entering Latvia.
Grigory Ioffe- the head of the Public Chamber of Crimea - commented on the words of Laima Vaikule: “It is unacceptable to consider the Crimean situation through an open or closed wallet. The quality of the soul of a creative person is not measured in pieces of silver,” emphasizing that for many years he was a connoisseur of Vaikule’s creativity.
According to him, you don’t have to perform in Crimea, but you need to understand what’s happening. And approaching the Crimean issue at the level of some kind of sales is intolerable, RIA Novosti reported.
At the same time, he emphasized that Laima Vaikule will soon be included in the “Crimean dossier” by decision of a special monitoring group.
Sergey Tsekov- Senator from the Republic of Crimea, head of the Russian community of the peninsula - made a proposal to punish the singer Laima Vaikule for her refusal to perform in Crimea.
“As for the response, I think she should be banned from performing in our country,” he said. At the same time, Sergei Tsekov is convinced that Vaikule’s words have a political connotation.
Trainer Edgard Zapashny also criticized the statement of the Latvian singer Laima Vaikule that she would not go on tour to Crimea for any money and was glad of the collapse of the USSR.
“Crimea is the territory of Russia, and have the conscience to admit it or have the courage not to visit Russia for concerts at all if your views differ from ours!!! It’s unfortunate when people like you bite the “feeding hand,” but it continues to feed you!” — the trainer wrote on his Instagram, commenting on the news about Vaikul.
According to him, if it were not for the Soviet Union, Vaikule would never have sung like that in Russian, which “fed and watered” the singer throughout her career. As Zapashny noted, the artist does not have a single recognizable song in her native Latvian. He also noted that Vaikule had a chance to refuse the title “Honored Artist of the Latvian SSR,” but at that time she “loved” the USSR.
Famous Soviet and Russian actor Stanislav Sadalsky also spoke about Laima Vaikule.
According to the actor, he, in turn, will not perform in Ukraine while Russians are being insulted in Square.
He also emphasized that he himself had just returned from Latvia, and there he observed a “disgusting attitude towards Russians.”
But Yuri Loza reminded of Laima Vaikule’s Latvian citizenship, as well as the fact that it is in the Baltics that she has a business and even her own festival. Therefore, there is no need for her to spoil relations with her leaders, Loza noted.
“If she were Russian, we would have the right to say something about this. But she is a resident of another country. Why condemn her? It doesn’t go and doesn’t go,” he noted.
Director of the Latvian singer Alexey Yakovlev said that everyone perceives this statement to the extent of their depravity.
“I think it's all twisted and overblown. I think this is not entirely correct,” said director Laima Vaikule.
Well, Laima Vaikule herself said that she was shocked by the reaction to her statements about Crimea. The Latvian singer believes that all her critics are zombies and animals.
“I had no idea that people were such animals. I'll be honest. Maybe because I never watch TV. I think people have gone crazy. They are absolutely zombified. They don’t even hear what they say... Journalists are provocateurs and liars, these are my impressions,” news reports quoted Laima Vaikule as saying in a conversation with Latvian journalists.
