King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden has awarded composer Arvo Pärt Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star. The Order was presented to the composer at the beginning of May, when King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden were on a state visit to Estonia. On May 3, Queen Silvia and Mrs Sirje Karis also visited the Arvo Pärt Centre, where Arvo Pärt’s son Michael Pärt, the Chairman of the Centre’s Council, introduced the composer’s archive and the Centre’s activities to the distinguished guests. The visit also included a concert featuring Andres Kaljuste on violin and Sophia Rahman on piano.
Among the Estonians, writer and politician Paul-Eerik Rummo and lawyer and politician Eino Tamm have previously received the Order of the Polar Star.
The Order was founded in 1748 by King Frederick I of Sweden. Since 1975, the Order has been awarded only to members of the Swedish royal family and to foreigners who have made a significant contribution to the development of foreign relations with Sweden.