This funding is expected to account for 9.67% of the festival's total estimated expenses. According to the information submitted to the deputies, the music festival “Positivus” is planned to take place in Lucavsala on July 19 and 20.
This will be the third festival held in Riga. Before that, Positivus was held annually in Salacgrīva. According to the municipality, when the festival was first held in Riga, Lucavsala, in July 2022, it was attended by 20,000 and 23,000 visitors, respectively, on both days of the festival, of which at least 6,000 were from abroad. Meanwhile, in 2023, Positivus's total number of visitors reached 25,000 each day of the festival and the total number of foreigners exceeded 6,000. At least 7,000 foreign visitors, mainly from Lithuania, Estonia, and Nordic countries, are expected to attend the festival this year.
The Riga City Council allocated EUR 200,000 to the festival “Positivus” in Lucavsala the previous year as well.
As expected, there was a long debate ahead of the vote. Some MPs expressed support for the festival funding, but some believe €200,000 can be used more effectively.
