Atvara: Latvia’s Rising Star at Eurovision 2026

Liene Stūrmane, professionally known as Atvara, is captivating audiences and rapidly gaining international recognition as Latvia’s representative in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. Her journey to the grand stage is an unconventional one, marked by early talent show appearances, a viral TikTok presence, and a landslide victory in Supernova 2026.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Born on April 2, 1993, in Liepāja, Latvia, Atvara demonstrated a passion for singing from a young age. Her mother enrolled her in music school to nurture her talent [1]. She continued her musical education at the Emīls Melngailis Secondary School in Liepāja, studying conducting, and later at the Jāzeps Mediņš Secondary School in Riga, specializing in jazz and pop singing [1].

Early Career and Talent Show Appearances

Atvara first gained exposure on Latvian television through participation in talent shows Dziedošās ģimenes and Koru kari between 2012 and 2013 [1]. In 2017, she auditioned for the Latvian version of The X Factor (X Faktors) with covers of Adele’s “One and Only” and Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing,” but did not advance to the later stages [1]. She also worked as an English teacher during this period [1].

TikTok Breakthrough and Rising Popularity

Atvara’s career trajectory shifted dramatically in 2024 with the release of her debut single, “Pie manis tveries” (“Grab onto Me”). The song quickly went viral on TikTok, amassing over 2 million views and inspiring over a thousand user-created videos [2] and [3]. The track was also featured in the Latvian drama series Nelūgtie viesi (“Uninvited Guests”) [3].

Eurovision 2026 and “Ēnā”

Building on her momentum, Atvara competed in Supernova 2026, Latvia’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. She won both the jury and public vote with her song “Ēnā,” earning her the opportunity to represent Latvia on the international stage [2] and [1]. The win has been described as “breathtaking” by Atvara herself [2].

Recent Work and Collaborations

Atvara released her debut album, “Vol.1 Vai dzirdi, kā brūces dzīst” (“Vol.1 Can you hear the wounds heal”), in late 2025, which has garnered over half a million streams on Spotify [2]. She has also collaborated with prominent Latvian artists such as Intars Busulis and Edavārdi [3]. Her single “Dzīve mūs mētā” (“Life Tosses Us”) features actor Jurijs Djakonovs and has received significant radio airplay [3].

Personal Life

Atvara is a mother to a son named Teodors, and her family provides strong support for her career [3].