Grey Wiese

In his interview with RUS TVNET, Sergey Grigoryev-Appolonov — Grey Wiese — speaks about Latvia, Laima Vaikule’s festival, unexpected recognition and why this trip made him want to return.

Previously, Latvia had been mostly a stop along his journey between Germany and Russia. Sergey had visited Jurmala while staying overnight in Riga, but this time he saw it differently: as a peaceful resort with fresh air, a light sea breeze and welcoming people.

After the unusually intense heat in Paris, that sense of calm felt especially precious. Sergey says he slept properly there for the first time in a while — and has already begun considering spending a month in Jurmala next summer.

Laima Vaikule’s festival at the Dzintari Concert Hall became another important part of the trip. Grey Wiese says he had long watched performances from previous years online and considers it a great honour to have experienced the legendary venue in person.

The response from the Latvian audience was perhaps the greatest surprise. Online, popularity is measured in views, likes and comments; in Jurmala, those figures suddenly had real faces. Sergey admits that the scale of recognition even took him aback, but what stayed with him most was the warmth of the people who came up to ask for a photograph.

Even a light conversation about diamonds and shopping reveals another side of Grey Wiese. He once approached every purchase with the meticulousness of someone trained in management: making spreadsheets and weighing the pros and cons. Today, he is learning to leave room for spontaneity — and to enjoy the moment itself.

In this conversation, Jurmala becomes more than a resort for Grey Wiese: it is a place where his virtual audience gained real faces, and a place he genuinely hopes to return to.