The message reads, in part:
“I am pleased to congratulate you on the opening of the New Wave international competition, which has brought together young singers from many nations for the tenth time in Jurmala.
This competition gives the audience an opportunity to meet new singers and musical groups that won in the qualifying rounds, learn more about modern pop music trends and the distinctive features of various nations’ performance styles, and to see superstars perform popular hits.
I am happy that the number of countries sending their representatives to the New Wave song contest grows every year, and that the competition’s programme is constantly becoming richer and more diverse.”
The Tenth New Wave 2011 international competition for young pop singers is being held in the Latvian resort city of Jurmala and features performers from fourteen different nations.