Svetlana Loboda, the Ukrainian singer known for her energetic pop performances, recently shared that she has faced legal challenges in Latvia. The artist spoke candidly about a difficult incident that affected her travel within the country, underscoring how a moment of speeding and the ensuing enforcement action had concrete consequences on her daily life. In Loboda’s account, she was driving in Riga at a high speed and was subsequently deprived of her driver’s license for a period of six months. The Latvian authorities, she says, withdrew the document that allowed her to move freely by car around the nation, a decision that left her temporarily grounded and forced to rely on other modes of transportation. This experience, while troubling, did not sour her view of Latvia though; it instead became a pivotal moment in her relationship with the country.
Reflecting on her relocation and the sense of belonging she has found, Loboda explained that Latvia feels like a chosen home. She described frequent visits to Jurmala and Riga for concerts, along with a growing desire to have a comfortable, cozy house in the region. Her reflections reveal a deep appreciation for the atmosphere, landscapes, and culture that Latvia offers, and she conveyed that the feeling of grounding she sought has taken root. The singer emphasized that the home she found in Latvia provides a sense of stability and familiarity, something she values as she continues to perform and entertain audiences across different countries. This sentiment reinforces the image of Loboda as an artist who embraces a cross-border lifestyle while staying connected to her roots and the places that shape her artistic identity.
In addition to discussing her life in Latvia, Loboda touched on her artistic choices and the language of her music. She recalled a period when translating some of her Russian-language songs into Ukrainian felt unnecessary and even counterproductive to her creative voice. She noted that she could not simply abandon songs she had written earlier, as they are an integral part of her artistic journey and the relationship she has built with her fans. According to Loboda, her fan base spans not only Ukraine but also other post-Soviet countries where Russian remains widely spoken. She stressed the importance of staying true to her artistic identity while navigating the diverse linguistic landscapes of her audience. The singer’s stance highlights the delicate balance many artists face when performing across multilingual regions, maintaining authentic expression while remaining accessible to a broad and devoted following.