Concluding with a performance of Iggy Pop–called "a cherry on our birthday cake" on the festival's Twitter–the tenth birthday festival certainly allowed the organizers to savor the flavor as Positivus, held at a seaside town 100 km off Rīga, has grown from just 2,000 visitors in the first year to a respectable 30,000 in the last few.
It seems to have been 'a ride' for musicians and visitors alike.
Whaaaaat @positivus festival that was unbelievable!!! Thank you for singing along Latvia ? we are jumping with joy! pic.twitter.com/24v4aRuQRk
— Oh Wonder (@OhWonderMusic) July 17, 2016
Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who was seen signing vinyls of his charity album, seems to have enjoyed Positivus as well:
Positively @positivus
— toomas hendrik ilves (@IlvesToomas) July 16, 2016
Here's the festival in pictures:
In addition to entertaining visitors, Positivus also means more business for the locals.
Mayor Dagnis Straubergs tells Latvian Television that Positivus has contributed greatly to the recognition of Salacgrīva and that about €4m is turned over during the festival.
Salacgrīva added four new restaurants and a supermarket last year, and the mayor doesn't hide the business boom is likely to be related to the festival.
