The international music festival Laima Rendezvous Jūrmala continues to unveil its 2026 programme. Returning to the stage of the Dzintari Concert Hall are Andrey Makarevich and Nino Katamadze – artists whom festival audiences have long regarded as an integral part of its history, atmosphere, and creative family. Joining them will be Kazakh soprano Zarina Altynbayeva, whose remarkable festival debut in 2025 became one of the most memorable highlights of the programme and earned her an invitation to return to Jūrmala once again. On the opening night, July 24th, audiences will enjoy performances by Andrey Makarevich and Zarina Altynbayeva, while Nino Katamadze will take the stage on July 26th as part of the festival’s traditional Gala Concert.
For Andrey Makarevich, participation in Laima Rendezvous Jūrmala has long become a cherished tradition. A musician, poet, painter and one of the most recognisable songwriters of the contemporary music scene, he invariably brings to the festival a particular intonation – intellectual, sincere and deeply personal. This year, his return to the Dzintari stage on 24th July takes on additional significance following his successful joint North American tour with Laima Vaikule. The concert series drew full halls and once again confirmed the unique creative understanding between two artists bound by many years of friendship and mutual respect. After the festival, Makarevich will continue his Baltic summer tour with concerts in Riga, Vilnius, Tallinn and Helsinki – a special programme accompanied by the Celtic harp and harpist Filipp Barsky. The ancient sound of this instrument is closely akin to the Baltic plucked-string tradition — the Latvian kokle, the Lithuanian kanklės and the Estonian kannel – lending the artist’s well-known songs an entirely new and unexpected depth.
One of the most anticipated events of the festival will be the performance of Nino Katamadze on 26th July – the world-renowned Georgian singer and composer, one of the brightest representatives of contemporary Georgian musical culture. For many years, her concerts have remained an inseparable part of Laima Rendezvous Jūrmala and among the most emotional moments of the festival programme. Her singular creative signature unites jazz, ethnic traditions and contemporary sound, and every encounter with the audience becomes a sincere and profound musical dialogue. Nino’s voice has long been recognised far beyond Georgia, and her appearances invariably create a particular atmosphere at the festival, filled with freedom, emotion and authenticity. In addition, Nino Katamadze has just announced the completion of recording a new album with her band at Trixx Studio in Berlin. The world premiere of the album Lilat (“Beloved” in the Svan dialect) is planned for Autumn 2026 in Ukraine.
A special place in the opening evening programme on 24th July will be held by the performance of Kazakh soprano Zarina Altynbayeva. Following her striking debut at the festival in 2025, the artist has once again been invited to Jūrmala – her talent, impeccable vocal mastery and stage presence became a true adornment of last year’s programme. This summer, Zarina will present new works to the audience, as well as a special premiere prepared specifically for the festival. Her new classical album Zher-Ana tynysy (Breath of Mother Earth), inspired by the rich musical heritage of Kazakhstan, was recorded together with the State Academic Symphony Orchestra named after Abdrashev, while the work on its sound was entrusted to the renowned Los Angeles sound engineer Ilya Lukashev. Especially for the opening of Laima Rendezvous Jūrmala, Zarina is preparing her own interpretation of one of the most beloved Latvian folk songs. The score for this performance is being written specifically for the festival and will be heard for the very first time on the stage of the Dzintari Concert Hall – a musical gift to the Latvian audience.
“Andrey and Nino have long become part of our festival family. They are impossible to imagine apart from the atmosphere of Laima Rendezvous Jūrmala. And Zarina last year won the hearts of our audience with her talent and professionalism, which is why her return was an entirely natural decision for us. I am happy that all three of them will be with us again this summer in Jūrmala,” says Laima Vaikule.
The Laima Rendezvous Jūrmala festival will take place from 24 to 26 July at the Dzintari Concert Hall. The festival’s partners are Jūrmala City Council, BMW Latvija, Inchcape Motors Latvia, LIDO, VENDEN and Dzintars. Tickets are available at www.laimafestival.lv. For VIP ticket information: +371 26645333.
See you in Dzintari — at the most anticipated music event of the summer!