The international popular music competition "New Wave 2010" ("Jaunais Vilnis 2010") got underway yesterday at Dzintari Concert Hall in Jurmala, informs LETA.
17 artists from 12 countries have made it to the final stage, out of more than 12,000 original applicants. The competition will run until August 1, when the judges will decide who will be the recipient of the "Crystal Wave" award.
The winner of the competition will also receive a EUR 50,000 (LVL 35,140) cash prize, with EUR 30,000 (LVL 21,084) and EUR 20,000 (LVL 14,056) prizes going to the second and third placed runners-up.
Latvia will be represented at the competition by the group "PeR" and the vocal trio "Lady's Sweet". Special guests at the event include Russian rock star Zemfira and legendary British crooner Engelbert Humperdinck.